Responsible Travel - Participation

Responsible Travel - Participationhttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participationResponsible Travel - Participationhttps://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/an-interview-with-simon-monkWorld Nomads’ Footprints program offers travelers a way to give back to the places they visit. Find out how this program got started and the positive impact it’s had over its 20 years.2025-01-03T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/an-interview-with-simon-monkhttps://www.worldnomads.com20 years ago, in January of 2005, World Nomads launched <a href="/responsible-travel/footprints">our Footprints program</a>. A groundbreaker at the time, Footprints allows World Nomads and Travel Insurance Direct customers to give a microdonation to a project of their choice when they buy a <a href="/travel-insurance">travel insurance policy</a>. Since its launch, Footprints has funded <a href="/responsible-travel/footprints/projects/?status=open">274 community development and conservation projects</a> around the world and raised AUD $5.7 million dollars (World Nomads and TID combined). We spoke to World Nomads and Footprints co-founder Simon Monk about the inspiration behind the program and how it has evolved over the years. WN: You were a founder of World Nomads in 2002. Can you talk about what inspired you to start the Footprints program in 2005? SM: Nomads was a couple of years old by that stage – we had a handful employees in a tiny office in Sydney. And, on the news was the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/indian-ocean-tsunami-anniversary-photo-gallery-65a5fdaeed08d68336523e7e4a4835a2" target="_blank">huge Asian tsunami</a> that killed over a quarter of a million people [in December 2004]. All of us were travelers, and it affected us deeply because we could see all these villages that we’d been to over the years, and they had no means of dealing with anything so catastrophic. So, we said, what can we possibly do? We decided to use our skill set, which was in internet and travel, to try to raise some funds. That was the genesis of the idea. And then I came back in the morning, and said, “Right, let’s just add a $2 donation as a check box in the purchase path.” And off we went! At this stage, the [money raised] just went into a relief fund for the tsunami. WN: And you ended up raising quite a bit right away. SM: Yes, we surpassed [our initial goal of $50,000] pretty quickly, like in a few weeks, I suppose. And we went, wow, we’ve really got something here. WN: And once you were done funding that cause, the idea was to keep going and continue to support causes around the world? SM: I suppose what really resonated was that we’d built something that connected with our travelers. It was beyond our imaginings of how successful it would be in terms of engagement. So, rather than just putting $2 into a bucket, we decided to give our travelers the choice of where they wanted their money to go. And that evolved into a process of choosing and funding particular projects. So, you might [set a goal of] $4,500 to fund a school in a particular village. And once that was funded, it would automatically stop, and the next project would kick in. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/responsibletravel/footprints-20th-anniversary/surfaid-indonesia-food-security.jpg" alt="A woman smiles while tending to her vegetable garden on a remote island in Indonesia." /> <figcaption>This Footprints project helped local communities in Indonesia establish climate-resilent nutrition gardens. Image credit: SurfAid</figcaption><figcaption></figcaption></figure> WN: How did you initially decide which projects to fund? SM: We originally toyed with the idea of funding schools ourselves, but it’s not our core expertise. And when you think, for example, about digging wells in villages, it seems a very tangible outcome but the more you speak to NGOs in this arena, you discover those aren’t the issues at all. [Through the <a href="/responsible-travel/footprints/who-we-fund/wateraid">organization WaterAid</a> we learned] it’s not just providing the water, it’s educating the children about sanitation, in local language. So, we worked in partnership with NGOs who were more experienced in this space. WN: All Footprints projects are aligned with one or more of the United Nations <a href="https://sdgs.un.org/goals" target="_blank">Sustainable Development Goals</a>. What was behind the decision to do that? SM: You can’t fund everything, so you need some guidelines to choose what to fund. The SDGs provided a really good framework to work within – it’s education, or it’s sanitation, it’s health, etc. Even with less obvious ones, such as environment, we tried to ensure that local people would have a tangible outcome based on those SDGs. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/responsibletravel/footprints-20th-anniversary/snow-leopard-project.jpg" alt="A woman milks her goats in a snow-leopard-proof enclosure in the Himalayas." /> <figcaption>This project helped conserve snow leopards while protecting the livelihoods of local villagers. Image credit: Australian Himalayan Foundation</figcaption></figure> WN: Have you been able to visit any of the projects yourself? SM: Just a handful. With the best will in the world, I try to stay out of the way and let the agencies get on with it, but occasionally I’ve been invited, and it’s always a pleasure and it’s always humbling. You’re treated to hospitality by people who have next to nothing compared to yourself. WN: You left World Nomads in 2016. Were you still with Footprints at that time? SM: I was still on the committee, trying to run it. Structurally, it became a bit difficult. With the best of intent, I handed it over to a team that could keep running it well. In any program when you raise money, there are governance issues around how funds are allocated. If you say you’re going to raise money for an organization then you need to have the proof you’re actually doing what you said you’re going to do. WN: 2025 marks the 20-year anniversary of the Footprints program. We’ve completed 274 projects and raised more than $5.7 million from more than 2 million travelers. How do you feel about meeting these milestones? SM: Slightly surreal, I suppose. 2 million travelers, that’s an awful lot of donors. I suppose the proudest thing is, when you build a service like World Nomads, you build it to try and take a segment of the market that is like you. Or in this case, like me – I’m a keen, adventurous, independent traveler. I built a service for me and discovered there’s lots of people globally who are of similar mind. And it’s basically the same with Footprints. Most travelers of that ilk have experienced the places and understand the people locally. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/responsibletravel/footprints-20th-anniversary/gaza-save-the-children.jpg" alt="Aid workers funded by Save the Children organize humanitarian aid in Gaza." /> <figcaption>Save the Children staffers organize humanitarian aid in Gaza. Image credit: Save the Children</figcaption></figure> WN: I think Footprints really taps into the desire of travelers to give back. When you travel to a place, you take a part of it with you forever. SM: Yes, Footprints taps into that. WN: What would you like to see happen with Footprints in the years to come? SM: If I could pick any one thing, it would be to build on that sense of connection to a place. We’ve done it to some degree. What happens is you fund a project, and once the goal is reached, it’s closed. And then two years later, you can actually go to the 3,163 people who funded it and tell them what the outcome was! And when we do that, we’ve had extraordinary feedback, going, “Wow! I gave $2 and here’s a detailed report on what my $2 did!” That always makes you feel good.Australian Himalayan Foundation 0

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/is-airbnb-an-ethical-optionShort-stay accommodation platforms like Airbnb were hailed as a way for travelers to enjoy a more authentic, local experience. Then came the backlash. Can these rentals still be part of an ethical travel experience?2024-03-11T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/is-airbnb-an-ethical-optionhttps://www.worldnomads.comThe surge in short-term residential platforms has transformed the travel industry in recent decades. So why is the sector being blamed for everything from the housing crisis to overtourism worldwide? <ul> <li><a href="#rise">The rise and rise of Airbnb</a></li> <li><a href="#issue">The issue with short-stay vacation rentals</a></li> <li><a href="#restrictions">Are restrictions on STRAs justified?</a></li> <li><a href="#balance">Balancing the tourism economy and affordable housing</a></li> <li><a href="#change">How travelers can help change the industry for the better </a></li> <li><a href="#why">Why choose a short-stay vacation rental?</a></li> <li><a href="#back">Getting back to the original idea behind Airbnb</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="rise">The rise and rise of Airbnb</h2> Back in the day – 2008 to be exact – many travelers discovered a new way to find a roof over their head in far-flung areas around the globe. This was the year Airbnb came into play and, while it wasn’t the first short-stay accommodation platform, it revolutionized travel for many. Choices opened up for travelers, beyond hotels and motels. And better still, they could vet their options with online reviews from previous users. These platforms also provided a way for locals to rent out their homes and make some extra cash from travelers. Now Airbnb is one of the world’s most-visited travel websites and competitors, like VRBO and Booking.com, are also big players in the hosted and non-hosted short-stay residential accommodation (STRA) sector. <h2 id="issue">The issue with short-stay vacation rentals</h2> In many tourist hotspots, local governments are now trying to curb the growth of STRAs, particularly non-hosted stays (where the host does not live on site permanently), to address chronic housing shortages and rising rents for locals. In 2023, one of Italy’s most popular cities and a World Heritage UNESCO site, Florence, <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/florence-airbnb-ban/index.html" target="_blank">banned any new Airbnbs in the historic center of the city</a>, due to overtourism. In Australia, state governments are imposing restrictions on the sector in an attempt to confront a housing shortage and surging rents. The state of Victoria imposed a levy on short-term rental property owners and restrictions are already in place in New South Wales, where non-hosted STRAs are limited to 180 days. And in some of the most popular tourist areas, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/sep/26/byron-bay-shire-nsw-60-day-short-term-holiday-rental-airbnb-cap-approved" target="_blank">there have been calls to restrict this further</a>, to only 60 days. In New York City, there have long been restrictions on these kind of short-stay rentals but it wasn’t until 2023 that <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/05/nyregion/airbnb-regulations-nyc-housing.html" target="_blank">NYC’s Law 18</a> meant more serious enforcement of the rules. Some say these rules are already working to open up rentals; others say they’re unfair to locals trying to make some extra cash, while giving hotels an unfair advantage. <h2 id="restrictions">Are restrictions on STRAs justified?</h2> That depends who you speak to. Academics, governments, media – and Airbnb – have all been crunching the numbers to determine just how much STRAs affect long-term housing supply, and how much restrictions will hurt the tourism industry. In a statement from Airbnb Australia entitled <a href="https://news.airbnb.com/en-au/housing-crisis-demands-action-not-scapegoats/" target="_blank">Housing Crisis Demands Action not Scapegoats</a>, the company claims restrictions have made it more expensive for visitors to New York and cautions against Australia going down the same route. “Visitors have fewer accommodation options and face higher hotel prices – both of these trends are discouraging potential visitors from travelling to the Big Apple. As has been proven time and time again, more competition, not less, is vital to keeping prices down.” Airbnb claims that other factors play a bigger part in exacerbating the housing crisis in Australia, including new housing supply not keeping up with demand, record-low interest rates, tax breaks for investors, and population growth. It also cites the issue of second homes laying empty all year round and not available for rent at all. This is a legitimate argument – in the Australian state of New South Wales, according to the 2021 census, there are approximately 10 times as many vacant houses as there are short-term rentals. But these are more difficult for governments to regulate. <h2 id="balance">Balancing the tourism economy and affordable housing</h2> So, while housing advocates call for regulations, governments in areas reliant on the tourist dollar face the task of ensuring sufficient visitor accommodation, while retaining affordable housing for locals and the very people who keep that economy going. Jen Clark is a former accommodation manager and founder of Australian-based <a href="https://hostingwithheart.net.au/" target="_blank">Hosting with Heart</a>, which she created to address issues within the STRA sector and make it more ethical. It’s billed as “the world’s first online property directory managed by hosts who give a s**t about people and the planet as much as they do profit.” Jen believes there is a long way to go to find a healthy balance between quality, responsibly operated accommodation and longer-term rental housing stock and that not regulating STRAs in Australia has resulted in an oversupply of short-term accommodation. “This benefits no one, as every STR operator – be them ethically-minded or not – suffers lower occupancy rates as a result.” Jen believes the recent study commissioned by Airbnb (cited above) made the figures look rosier “in order to suit their commercial agenda.” Consistent regulation and incentives for multi-property owners to list secondary properties long-term would make a difference, according to Jen. With this in mind her new STRA marketplace, ‘Heartful’, encourages hosts to move their properties to the long-term rental market if they’re sitting vacant for a significant part of the year. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/responsibletravel/short-term-rentals/airbnb-local-stay.jpg" alt="Two young women walk down the front stairs of an apartment building in a European town." /> <figcaption>Short-term rentals let travelers live like locals – but is it fair to the actual locals? Image credit: Getty Images / Cathedral Falls Commercial</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="change">How travelers can help change the industry for the better</h2> Heartful also connects travelers with responsible hosts by only featuring properties that focus on sustainability and inclusive hosting practices. Jen believes travelers can influence the market by looking closely at the ethos of accommodation providers and asking more questions: “Does a particular property showcase products and services from its local community? Do they operate with sustainability? Do they practice inclusion and aim to ensure an enjoyable, comfortable stay for guests with diverse access needs?” These sound practices by hosts, rather than being a burden, give them a competitive business edge, Jen says. “A growing number of travelers are seeking holiday experiences that align with their own values and cater to their needs… We want them to feel empowered by the impact their travel choices have on people, communities, and the planet.” <h2 id="why">Why choose a short-stay rental?</h2> Tracy Bickley is a writer and artist who travels around the world. Mostly, she opts for short-stay residential accommodation for affordability and an immersive cultural experience, compared to a hotel. She seeks either hosted or non-hosted STRAs, and credits them with “opening up the world” to someone like her – a single parent with an unreliable income living in central London during a <a href="/travel-wiser/practical/travel-cheaply-in-cost-of-living-crisis">cost-of-living crisis</a>. On a recent trip to Japan, she stayed in a large hotel first, but found it impersonal and anonymous, so she booked into a traditional Ryokan via an online booking platform. “I learned about Japanese culture and kindness,” she says. “In Spain and France, I’ve stayed in homes where I’ve gained insight just looking at the bookshelves or the spices in the kitchen cupboards. You’re living the culture.” She finds residential stays usually more environmentally sound than large hotels, too: “I don’t need my room cleaned every day, or new sheets and towels that use so much water. I don’t need free toiletries, slippers, or plastic toothbrushes and cutlery… huge hotels are often more detrimental to climate change than someone opening up their home for a week.” <h2 id="back">Getting back to the original idea behind Airbnb</h2> Tracy also points to the economic benefit for those renting out their homes, with friends and neighbors in London often doing it to pay bills and survive. “If you're really wealthy, there's no need for anyone to ever come into your home and you can lock the doors and go away.” This fits with the original ethos of Airbnb. Its disruptor model was founded when its creators struggled with the rent on their San Francisco apartment – they had the bright idea of raising cash by letting out air mattresses on their living room floor. Perhaps like many things – including some of the world’s best tourist destinations – STRAs can become a victim of their own success. Short stays don’t need to be off the agenda though – they can still offer some wonderful accommodation options. As responsible travelers, we can do the research and choose wisely.Getty Images / Milko 11462177558 Getty Images A pair of senior travelers arrive at their vacation rental.

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/international-womens-day-2025From an all-woman-run safari camp in Tanzania to female breadwinners in Mongolia, here are seven travel experiences that help make the world a more inclusive place for women.2024-02-27T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/international-womens-day-2025https://www.worldnomads.comMothers, sisters, daughters, friends. Artisans, chefs, entrepreneurs, farmers. Stewards of the land, keepers of traditional knowledge. Women occupy many titles and roles – they are the backbone of their families and the heart of their communities. Yet far too often, women still face discrimination, from less access to education to fewer income opportunities. The theme for <a href="https://www.internationalwomensday.com/" target="_blank">International Women’s Day 2025</a> is “Accelerate Action”. Women’s Day reminds us of the unrelenting uphill battle that women around the world face. It also serves as a reminder of the power that the tourism industry holds and how it can be used as a force for change. This year, let travel be an opportunity to connect with host communities, invest in local economies, and champion <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/best-cities-to-visit-with-great-public-transport">environmental initiatives</a>. An opportunity to interact with women around the world and support their endeavors so they can continue to practice and share their wisdom, preserve their culture, invest in their children, and occupy new spaces. On your upcoming adventures, ask yourself, “How can I, as a traveler, help accelerate positive change for women around the global?” We’ve rounded up a few ideas to get you started. <ul> <li><a href="#peru">Experience Peru with its female changemakers</a></li> <li><a href="#kerala">Explore the culture and cuisine of Southern India</a></li> <li><a href="#safari">Safari the female way in the Serengeti</a></li> <li><a href="#kigali">Walk and weave with the women of Kigali</a></li> <li><a href="#mongolia">Explore Mongolia and learn about the lives of local women</a></li> <li><a href="#pakistan">Journey through the landscapes of Pakistan</a></li> <li><a href="#india">Connect with acid attack survivors in India</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="peru">Experience Peru with its female changemakers</h2> With the hopes of tackling the gender imbalance in the travel industry, <a href="https://www.explorationscompany.com/latin-america/experience-latin-america/peru" target="_blank">Explorations Company</a> has recently launched Las Poderosas, or “The Women of Peru”. The journey connects guests to Peru’s abundant nature and dynamic cities in a profound way: through the eyes of Peruvian women who are shaping the country. Journey to the barrios with Vania Masias, a former ballerina who is connecting the local children to the art of street dance. Explore the Amazon alongside the matriarchs who are leading conservation movements in the rainforest, such as conservationist Tatiana Espinosa, whose women-led non-profit <a href="https://www.arbioperu.org/en/" target="_blank">ARBIO</a> is leading new ways to protect the Amazon. Each trip can be specially crafted to fit each travelers’ interests, allowing them to dive deep into the country’s culture, art, and landscapes, while better understanding and supporting the livelihoods of Peruvian women. <h2 id="kerala">Explore the culture and cuisine of Southern India</h2> Kerala is known for its backwater villages, Ayurvedic traditions, and misty tea plantations. A trip through southern India’s rich cultural heritage and lush landscapes is enhanced through the guidance of local stewards. Join <a href="https://villageways.com/" target="_blank">Village Ways</a> for a ten-day, women’s-only <a href="https://villageways.com/kerala-itinerary-womens-group-holiday/" target="_blank">adventure to Kerala</a>, experiencing the abundant state through the lens of Keralan women. Take weaving classes, listen to drumming, explore a coffee plantation, cook Keralan curries, and stay in local communities – all with the expertise of female guides. The benefits of the trip go both ways. Beyond connecting visitors to the traditions of Kerala, it allows Keralan women to be the storytellers of their home, while supporting their industries and livelihoods. Beyond the female-focused Kerala trip, Village Ways runs ethical journeys through rural regions across India. Started in the foothills of the Himalayas with the intention of preserving traditional ways of life, each carefully designed adventure works hand-in-hand with the villages. Co-founder and director Manisha Pande’s hope is to empower rural Indian women as guides to tell the story of their home through their eyes, while lifting communities out of poverty. <h2 id="safari">Safari the female way in the Serengeti</h2> Opened in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park in 2016 by Asilia Africa, <a href="https://www.asiliaafrica.com/camps-lodges/dunia-camp/" target="_blank">Dunia Camp</a> is the first all-female-run safari camp. From guides and chefs to housekeepers and managers, everyone behind this stunning property is a woman. There is an unparalleled impact in placing women in roles that they aren’t traditionally seen in, shifting the dialogue around gender norms in East Africa. In addition to economic and professional empowerment, Dunia provides local Tanzanian women with a sense of personal empowerment as they trade a traditional life for a life in the wilds of the bush. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/responsibletravel/womens-day-2024/asilia-grace.jpg" alt="A woman safari guide with Dunia camp in Tanzania." /> <figcaption>Grace Matemba, a safari guide with Dunia. Image credit: Dunia/Asilia</figcaption></figure> Travelers can search for lions and zebras on sunrise and sunset game drives, track footprints and wildlife on foot during a walking safari and unwind with handcrafted meals in the calming tempo of the Serengeti – all with Tanzanian women as your guides. Dunia’s vision goes beyond the camp. Partner projects support current and future generations of East African women in multiple capacities. Asilia’s scholarship program enrolls disadvantaged youth in a Tourism and Hospitality Course to jumpstart their careers in tourism, and <a href="https://www.themaatrust.org/" target="_blank">Maa Trust</a> employs over 600 Maasai women in honey and bead collectives. Says Grace Matemba, who is in the process of completing her training as a walking safari guide, “Working as a woman helps to support our families and remove the idea that we can’t bring any progress into our societies. Most of our local communities still do not have gender equality. For example, if a woman decides to go to work, she might be excluded for breaking the traditions of these communities. “For me, being with Asilia has brought a great light to my guiding career based on the training I get whenever I'm at camp. During that time, I had the opportunity to join the walking training where soon I will become one of the first certified female walking guides. I hope I can bring motivation and inspiration to upcoming female guides.” <h2 id="kigali">Walk and weave with the women of Kigali</h2> Rwanda may be known for its mountain gorillas, but its capital, Kigali, is worthy of a visit too. Join a women-led walking tour with <a href="http://www.nwc-umutima.org/tours.html" target="_blank">Nyamirambo Women’s Center</a> (NWC) through the colorful streets of Nyamirambo. Learn about the neighborhood’s Muslim history, browse local produce markets, stop for a glass of fresh milk at a milk bar, and learn a few Kinyarwanda words along the way. Afterwards, join the women for a cooking or weaving class. NWC was started in 2007 by 18 Rwandese women to address gender-based violence, gender inequality, and discrimination. Profits built a children’s library and provide ongoing literacy, sewing, computer, and weaving classes for women, in addition to workshops like women’s rights and health. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/responsibletravel/womens-day-2024/nyamirambo-street-scene.jpg" alt="A street in the Nyamirambo neighborhood in Kigali, Rwanda." /> <figcaption>The Nyamirambo neighborhood in Kigali. Image credit: Alicia Erickson</figcaption></figure> If you’re interested in learning more about the weaving heritage of Rwanda, take a class at <a href="https://talkingthroughart.org/" target="_blank">Talking Through Art</a>. The initiative supports Kigali women living with disabilities, as well as their children, and helps them stay off the streets by employing them as weavers and teaching them life skills. Master basics of Rwandan basket making in the sunny garden and you may be tempted to bring a few of the shop’s gorgeous baskets home with you. <h2 id="mongolia">Explore Mongolia and learn about the lives of local women</h2> From the Gobi Desert to the Altai Mountains, the landscapes of Mongolia are an idyllic backdrop for extraordinary adventures. Now, imagine experiencing Mongolia’s steppes and mountains through the lens of Mongolian women. <a href="https://www.responsibletravel.com/" target="_blank">Responsible Travel</a> and Eternal Landscapes have crafted an <a href="https://www.responsibletravel.com/holiday/24665/women-only-tour-in-mongolia" target="_blank">unparalleled expedition to Mongolia</a> led by women, for women. Along the way, travelers will stay at the homes of many female breadwinners. A Kazakh eagle huntress, an embroiderer, and a herder are among the hosts along the journey. Beyond welcoming you into their homes, these women will include you in their daily activities, from planting trees to combing yaks, to help you understand their livelihoods, customs, and challenges through an unfiltered lens. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/responsibletravel/womens-day-2024/assistant-mongolia-trip.jpg" alt="A female trip assistant lights a fire on a tour of Mongolia." /> <figcaption>An Eternal Landscapes trip assistant lights a fire. Image credit: Eternal Landscapes</figcaption></figure> Odonmicheg, one of the Mongolian trip assistants on these journeys reflected on the impact on her life: “My life has grown since I started to work with Eternal Landscapes. I’m an English teacher but I always work with tourists in the summer months and my English skills and that of my students are developing year by year. After some difficult years as a single mother, I am now financially independent and feel confident about myself.” Responsible Travel also offers other fantastic women-only trips, including a <a href="https://www.responsibletravel.com/holiday/34611/women-of-south-africa-cultural-tour" target="_blank">cultural tour of South Africa</a> and a <a href="https://www.responsibletravel.com/holiday/27750/women-only-tour-in-pakistan" target="_blank">Pakistan trip</a>. <h2 id="pakistan">Journey through the landscapes of Pakistan</h2> The vivid scenery, cuisine, and heritage of Pakistan are a big draw for travelers seeking adventure. But, Pakistan isn’t the easiest place to visit as a female solo traveler. <a href="https://themadhatters.pk/about/" target="_blank">Mad Hatters</a>, a women-run travel company, is working to make travel in Pakistan more inclusive and accessible for female travelers, while providing Pakistani women a platform to pursue work in tourism. Each carefully crafted trip focuses on immersive experiences that create economic opportunities in remote regions of Pakistan. Learn culinary traditions as you cook with Pakistani women, adventure through the stunning mountains of the Hunza and Kalasha Valleys, visit the ruins of ancient empires, stay at the homes of locals, and meet local artisans and women-run businesses. With a wide range of trips to choose from, Mad Hatters (along with their partners) also runs a few <a href="https://www.intrepidtravel.com/en/pakistan/pakistan-womens-expedition-146841" target="_blank">women-only</a> trips, which shine a light on women working on female-empowerment projects along the adventures through Pakistan. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/responsibletravel/womens-day-2024/mad-hatters-pakistan.jpg" alt="Women travelers on a trip to Pakistan." /> <figcaption>Women travelers on a Mad Hatters trip to Pakistan. Image credit: Mad Hatters</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="india">Connect with acid attack survivors in India</h2> Wander beyond the famous silhouette of the Taj Mahal and pay <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sheroes_hangout/?hl=en" target="_blank">Sheroes Hangou</a>t a visit. The Agra café is run by acid attack survivors, providing women who would typically face discrimination an opportunity to gain economic independence. Sheroes, which also has locations in Lucknow and Noida, serves as a space for acid attack survivors to heal and feel confident showing their faces, shedding the stigma that so often causes acid attack survivors to hide. Take the time to listen to their stories during your visit. Learn about their personal journeys, as well as issues like acid attacks that continue to disproportionately impact women in India today.Alicia Erickson 0 A Rwandan woman teaches a weaving workshop in Kigali, Rwanda.

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/best-cities-to-visit-with-great-public-transportUsing public transport when you travel helps you get under the skin of a destination, interact with local people, and it’s cheaper.2023-11-08T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/best-cities-to-visit-with-great-public-transporthttps://www.worldnomads.comAs sustainability-minded travelers are prioritizing <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/people/the-destinations-turning-green">eco-friendly travel destinations</a>, having the ability to take public transportation during a trip can be a big selling point. Not only is taking public transit while traveling a great way to cut back on car emissions, but it is also far more affordable, and faster (sometimes), and it can be a fun, unique way to get to know a destination. Here are four cities with excellent public transportation. <ul> <li><a href="#1">New York City, USA</a></li> <li><a href="#2">Edinburgh, Scotland</a></li> <li><a href="#3">Mexico City, Mexico</a></li> <li><a href="#4">Tokyo, Japan</a></li> <li><a href="#5">Other notable cities</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="1">New York City, USA</h2> It’s no surprise that the Big Apple tops the list as it has, by far, the best public transportation system in the USA. Not only does the <a href="https://new.mta.info/">MTA system</a> run 24/7 (something few cities can boast), but the train network is extensive, and a league of buses helps fill in further-out corners of the five boroughs that the trains don’t reach. A single ride costs less than $3, and frequent riders can save even more money by purchasing a weekly or monthly MetroCard). Considering that <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/people/putting-cycling-first"></a> What I love best about the New York City subway is that it is a true slice of New York. Everyone – and I mean everyone – rides the train, from stockbrokers and politicians to cooks, cleaners, and content creators. Riding the train is the best way to experience the diversity of the city, as you’ll hear nearly every language in the world spoken, and you’ll probably also be entertained by some pretty preposterous performances. While locals sometimes tire of metro magicians, singers, dancers, and acrobats, their shows are usually a real treat for visitors. To get out of the city, there’s also the Long Island Rail Road that can easily whisk you away to Long Island, the MetroNorth that spreads around upstate NY and Connecticut, and Amtrak to get you everywhere else. <h2 id="2">Edinburgh, Scotland</h2> Scotland’s <a href="https://www.scotrail.co.uk/">ScotRail</a> system makes it easy to get around all over the country (and to England), as it seamlessly connects large cities such as Glasgow and Edinburgh to Highland areas such as Fort William and Inverness, stopping in tiny towns and villages along the way. Trains are clean, quick, and easy to use, and they travel through some of the most fantastic scenery. In general, Scotland is an easy country to navigate by public transit, but Edinburgh stands out in particular simply due to the sheer number of different public transit options. Edinburgh has set an ambitious <a href="https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/climate-2/climate-target-net-zero-2030">goal of net zero emissions by 2030</a>, which includes the decarbonization of its extensive public transport system. In addition to ScotRail’s several stations throughout Edinburgh, you’ll also find loads of buses that are clean, convenient, and run all over town and to airports (you can even catch a bus from Edinburgh Airport to central Glasgow, which is what I did). The brand new <a href="https://edinburghtrams.com/">Edinburgh Trams</a>, which was completed in June 2023, offers a pleasant way to get from central Edinburgh out to the airport, the Ocean Terminal, and the traveler hotspot neighborhood of Leith. A month after it opened, I took the tram from the city center out to explore Leith and again to the airport, and in both cases, the ride took about as long as a cab would have, yet it was a fraction of the price and it gave me a new way to see the city. <h2 id="3">Mexico City, Mexico</h2> Latin America’s largest city is home to nearly 23 million people spread across 16 municipalities and 300 neighborhoods. To accommodate this steadily growing population, Mexico City continuously improves and expands its public transportation while also placing an increasing number of restrictions on cars to encourage people to take public transit. The result? A dizzying array of options, including a sprawling <a href="https://www.metro.cdmx.gob.mx/">Metro</a> train network, aboveground light rail, Metrobus (known as bus rapid transit, or BRT), regular buses, minibusses, and loads of interstate buses that can quickly and easily get you to Tepoztlan, Cuernavaca, Oaxaca and beyond. system. While minibusses might be a bit confusing for first-time visitors, the proper Metro trains Metrobus buses are very straightforward, with clear signage and maps. <h2 id="4">Tokyo, Japan</h2> There isn’t a metro network anywhere else in the world quite like the labyrinth of the Tokyo transit system. Not only is the Tokyo subway system sprawling (and said to serve the most riders in the world), but it’s also shockingly clean, efficient, well-maintained, and timely – something that can’t be said about most other networks. You won’t be able to ride every route 24/7 (so be sure to check schedules if you plan to be out late), but the Tokyo public transportation system is, by far, the best way to get around. It’s fast, far more affordable than cabs, and it goes just about everywhere, including all the popular attractions. Tokyo has two separate train systems, the <a href="https://www.tokyometro.jp/en/index.html">Tokyo Metro</a> and the <a href="https://www.kotsu.metro.tokyo.jp/eng/services/subway.html">Toei Subways</a>, but they are interlinked very well, and the only time you have to worry about the two separate systems is when you buy an individual ticket. To skip the confusion, buy a subway pass or prepaid card, which can be used on either system. Prepaid cards like the <a href="https://www.jreast.co.jp/multi/en/welcomesuica/welcomesuica.html">Welcome Suica</a> and <a href="https://www.pasmo.co.jp/visitors/en/buy/">Pasmo Passport</a> are sold at the airport and a handful of metro stops, rail stations, and other locations. Not only can the cards be used to pay for the train, but you can also use them to pay for goods and services all over Japan, and they are much faster and easier than dealing with individual tickets. Ready to be amazed? Check out this <a href="https://www.jreast.co.jp/e/routemaps/pdf/RouteMap_majorrailsub.pdf">Tokyo Combined Subway and Train map</a>. <h2 id="5">Other notable cities</h2> We didn’t have enough space to really dig into every city offering great public transportation around the world, but some other top spots to keep in mind are London, Stockholm, Barcelona, Berlin, Montreal, Mumbai, Shanghai, Taipei, Chicago, and Copenhagen. Some cities’ public transportation networks also include unique and iconic ways to get around, such as continent-crossing ferries in Istanbul and Lisbon’s famous tram network.Getty Images/B.S.P.I. 1522169322 Getty Images A Yamanote Line Train Crosses Over Pedestrians and Traffic at Shinjuku Station in Tokyo, Japan

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/world-refugee-dayWorld Refugee Day, which falls on 20 June each year, is a day of remembrance and a call for action. 2023-06-20T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/world-refugee-dayhttps://www.worldnomads.comIn 2015, a European migrant crisis was declared. Around 1.3 million migrants applied for asylum in the EU member states, Switzerland, and Norway. This set a <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2016/08/02/number-of-refugees-to-europe-surges-to-record-1-3-million-in-2015/">record high</a>, nearly double the previous record set in 1992 following the fall of the Iron Curtain. Refugees fled to Europe from Afghanistan and Iraq, among other countries, with more than 440,000 of them going to Germany.  Syrians by far topped the list, accounting for nearly one-third of all asylum seekers in Europe in 2015, total <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2016/08/02/number-of-refugees-to-europe-surges-to-record-1-3-million-in-2015/#:~:text=Refugees%20from%20Syria%20numbered%20378%2C000,recent%20surge%20in%20asylum%20applications.">378,000 refugees</a>.  In the wake of the influx of these extraordinary numbers of people, a crisis was declared. Local economies, workforces, and housing in host countries floundered beneath the weight of the new migrants. However, the framing of this phenomenon is problematic. People were, and still are, understood through numbers and statistics rather than as individuals. Human lives are perceived as a crisis on a continent, rather than as human beings who were forced to flee unimaginable circumstances. <a href="https://www.unhcr.org/world-refugee-day">World Refugee Day</a>, which falls on 20 June each year, is a day of remembrance and a call for action. A time to elevate the voices and the stories of individuals impacted by war, conflict, and natural disasters, who fled home in search of safety and new beginnings. To bridge the gap between “them” and “us” and simply connect through human nature. As travelers, conscious explorers of the world and seekers of culture, we can be ambassadors of awareness. In light of the 2023 World Refugee Day (that has the theme 'hope away from home'), I spoke with Mohamad, a tour designer and guide with <a href="https://refugeevoicestours.org/">Refugee Voices Tours</a> in Berlin. Refugee Voices Tours was founded in 2015 by refugees and activists with the intention of informing the public why so many refugees were forced to flee and seek refuge in Europe. Whether it be on your next trip to Berlin, or from afar virtually, join this innovative company on immersive walking tours. Experience a different side to this popular European city and understand why so many asylum seekers found themselves in Germany and Europe over the past decade. <h3>Alicia: Can you tell me more about yourself and how you ended up in Berlin?</h3> Mohamad: I’m originally from a small town outside of Damascus, Syria. I left in 2013 to go and find work elsewhere to support the rest of my family. My younger brother and I went to Libya and stayed there for about two years, where we built a business. Things were going relatively well until Libya itself, or Benghazi specifically, became a war zone. We lived through it for a couple of months and then decided to go to Europe because we didn’t know how long the conflict would last. Our Syrian passports were pretty much useless to go anywhere else legally besides Europe. Our parents were in Turkey, but we couldn’t even get to the airport to fly to them. The airport in Benghazi was not functional until mid-2015. We ended up coming to Europe with smugglers on a fishing boat. First to Sicily, then to mainland Italy, and then on trains from Milan to Berlin. About seven months after submitting our papers, we were granted asylum. <h3>Alicia: Can you elaborate on the situation facing refugees arriving in Germany?</h3> Mohamad: It varied quite a lot depending on when they came, where they came from, and which state in Germany they went to. Not all conflicts were seen as equal or eligible for asylum. Before 2014 and 2015, Syrians were given asylum on the fly. It was typical to wait between seven months and a year to receive your papers. During that time, you’re not allowed to visit people in different cities or leave the camp for more than 40 hours. Once you get asylum, you’re put through an integration course, which is mostly a German language course, for six months. And then you’re pushed to find work. They encourage you to certify the degree you already have, but it’s a tedious process. Many times, it’s easier to go back and study again than have your degree officially acknowledged. To give you a close example, my sister is a dentist and it took her nearly seven years to verify her degree. Their assumption was that Syrian education was bad, that you know nothing and need to start from scratch. This is a lot of loss of skill and makes it difficult for people to feel integrated. The last eight, ten years of their life was wasted, and they need to start basically over. <h3>Alicia: How did Refugee Voices Tour first emerge? </h3> Mohamad: In 2016, I met Lorna Cannon, founder of Refugee Voices Tours. The tour that Refugee Voices Tours was built on was led by refugees from Africa—like Libya and Sudan— who fell outside the system and would not be granted asylum. They organized a <a href="https://oplatz.net/">big demonstration in Oranienplatz</a> in 2012. People built tents and were there for over a year (until April 2014). Eventually, the state decided to give more rights to refugees but since they didn’t fit that criteria, it didn’t apply to them. Lorna knew the demonstrators and lived in the neighborhood where it was going on. There was a suggestion to build this tour for people to learn about the movement and its outcome. When I met Lorna, the tour was still running so I experienced it. It was so powerful and made me think: “How can we build something like this about Syria and allow people to learn about the Syrian conflict firsthand?” The idea was to use the history of Berlin to talk about some of the current events happening in Syria. We spent time putting it together, trying it, and adjusting the design. It’s been going on for almost seven years now. <h3>Alicia: What do the tours aim to show to participants? How are they shaped by your personal experience?</h3> Mohamad: I used to go to these dinners connecting people coming from different parts of the world. When they asked where I’m from and I said Syria, you could tell they have lots of questions but they’re not sure if it’s the right place or time. I figured the tours could be the platform for people to ask these questions. The tour that I designed is called “Why We’re Here.” The whole idea is to try and answer this question. Why are there refugees in Europe and specifically, why are Syrians in Germany? We want to make what happened in Syria digestible. Why it happened and why it forced people to seek refuge all around the world. It’s like a crash course in the Syrian conflict but still related to Berlin and its rich history. Trying to relate pieces of history that people are aware of to something they have no clue about; to connect people so they don’t just see it as another conflict in the Middle East. <h3>Alicia: What has been the impact you’ve seen from Refugee Voices Tours?</h3> Mohamad: I honestly didn’t think it was going to go anywhere but it grew much bigger than I expected. It was timely as people were discussing the refugee crisis in Syria when the tour launched and gained momentum from there. We started on a weekly basis up to just before the pandemic. Now we are doing biweekly tours and hope by summer to return to a weekly basis. Every time I question why I keep doing these tours, I’ll have a group or an individual in the tour that reminds me why I’m doing this. At the end of the tour, we go to a restaurant where people can process it and feel comfortable enough to ask questions. It becomes a discussion about the many nuances and layers to it. Which makes it much more lasting and helps them unpack any piece of news they may come across.    <h3>Alicia: What impact do you believe travelers can have in raising awareness around and having an impact on refugee-related issues?</h3> Mohamad: I try to show them how much the humanitarian efforts they saw in 2015 and in 2022 were heavily motivated by politics and how the rhetoric can assign values and select who is deserving of being treated as human beings and who is not. And I try to leave an impact on them. Even if they can't change anything on a governmental scale, at least they detect the bias that exists in every political decision and hopefully inspire them to spread that idea and understanding to others. <h3>Alicia: What message do you want to send to the public for World Refugee Day?</h3> Mohamad: Nobody chooses to be a refugee. We were reminded by that again with the invasion of Ukraine where people went to sleep with all of their hopes and dreams for the next day and then they needed to leave. To show that nobody who has been displaced because of war is inhumane. I want people to Imagine themselves as displaced and how they would react, what they would do if the whole world started looking at and treating them differently just for the fact that they’re displaced. I am a refugee and am one of the privileged ones that had the chance to start over and the opportunity to have the platform to talk to people. This is not the case for the vast majority of refugees around the world. Getty Images / Jasmin Merdan 0 A group of migrants walking against a sunrise

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/help-save-our-planets-coral-reefsIf no action is taken, we could be living in a world without coral reefs by 2050. 2025-09-01T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/help-save-our-planets-coral-reefshttps://www.worldnomads.com<ul> <li><a href="#1">Coral gardening</a></li> <li><a href="#2">Coral spawning</a></li> <li><a href="#3">Coral rehabilitation </a></li> <li><a href="#4">Knowledge generation and community involvement </a></li> <li><a href="#5">Awareness and citizen action</a></li> </ul> Over the past several years, <a href="https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/environment/obituary-great-barrier-reef-25-million-bc-2016/?scope=anon">headlines</a> claiming the Great Barrier Reef is dead or dying have sent the world into an uproar. However, while the world’s largest coral reef system (which stretches for more than 1,400 mi (2,250km) off the coast of Queensland, in Australia’s Coral Sea) is not dead, the headlines did get something right: the future of the Great Barrier Reef is not secure. The future isn’t looking bright for any of the world’s coral reefs. To put it grimly, if no action is taken, we could be living in a world without coral reefs by 2050. Take a moment to imagine living in a world where the oceans are depleted of their reefs, and all the life that thrives on them is gone, too, so that they can only be viewed in a tank at an aquarium. It sounds quite dystopian, doesn’t it? Coral reefs are crucial ocean habitats that are the home, breeding grounds, and source of food for many marine creatures. Reefs contain the highest biodiversity on the planet, and with the disappearance of reefs comes the extinction of many aquatic plants and animals. The impact also reverberates to life on land, impacting local communities who rely on the reefs as a source of income, from fishing to tourism. A planet without coral reefs doesn’t have to be the future, though. There is still time to preserve and regenerate coral reefs, and we are at a pivotal moment in marine conservation. In recent years, important steps have been taken to prioritize innovative action to preserve the future of our reefs and oceans. Knowledge and action have been put at the forefront of many ocean conservation agendas, and marine biologists and engineers, among other experts, have been busy researching and testing out innovative techniques in labs and in the ocean. Their tireless work gives hope to the future survival of coral reefs. The next few years will be crucial as the long-term impact of current research and innovations unfold. Coral conservation is a complex dance between repairing damage done by unsustainable marine tourism, overfishing, ocean waste, and mitigating the impact of climate change causing ocean temperatures to rise and bleaching coral.    <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/responsibletravel/participation/reef-belize-content-resized.jpg" alt="A scuba diver working on a reef" /><figcaption>Coral bleaching at Glovers Beach Marine Reserve. Photo credit: A.Tewfik and WCS</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="1">Coral gardening</h2> Coral gardens are a phenomenal way to revive reef ecosystems in a protected setting. Nurseries provide a safe space where corals can be grown in large numbers and <a href="/explore/caribbean/5-unforgettable-experiences-in-the-caribbean">later transferred to reefs</a>. Fragments of healthy corals are carefully collected from existing coral colonies, typically coming from coral fragments that have already been broken off due to natural causes. The fragments are then planted in the coral nursery, which are either floating or fixed structures that are designed to hold the coral fragments in place. Once the coral fragments have grown to a large and healthy enough state, they are out planted back onto damaged reefs. Most coral nurseries are field based, in areas off-site from natural reefs. While field nurseries are relatively low cost and require less advanced technology, they also have disadvantages. They are susceptible to environmental extremes such as storms and warmer water temperatures, for example. Land based nurseries are more easily monitored and can be sheltered from external forces like disease and bleaching, however, are much more complicated. A growing number of organizations, including the <a href="https://rrf.org.au/">Reef Restoration Foundation</a> in Queensland, Australia, are dedicated to planting coral in gardens. <a href="https://coralgardeners.org/pages/our-work">Coral Gardeners</a> (CG) is another organization paving the way in coral nurseries. Initially started on the island of Mo’orea in French Polynesia, Coral Gardeners has developed a comprehensive strategy to tackle reef restoration through a coral adoption and replanting program that allows anyone to adopt a coral for the team to plant. So far, its team of gardeners has planted more than 30,000 corals. The initiative also develops innovative tolls at CG Labs to scale up reef conservation, refine techniques, and monitor progress. <h2 id="2">Coral spawning</h2> The future of coral reefs is brightened by their ability to regenerate. This natural phenomenon by which corals reproduce and create new coral colonies is known as coral spawning. While there is no way to know exactly when it will take place, coral spawning is a yearly event that occurs around October or November in conjunction with the full moon and depends on specific conditions, including warm water. When it happens, the event is quite spectacular to witness. Corals release eggs and spawn into the water at the same time. The bundles rise to the surface, where the fertilization process starts. If it’s successful, the fertilized eggs will settle on the ocean floor and eventually creates new coral colonies. Coral spawning is imperative to the future of reefs, as the phenomenon helps maintain genetic diversity within the coral population, replenish damaged and depleted reefs, and restores the complexity and functionality of reefs. Recently, a handful of scientists have begun using the power of nature to their advantage. Essentially, corals grown in nurseries are being used to help facilitate coral spawning. Using experimental techniques that were <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-environment-coral-idUSKCN1VD06G">pioneered in Florida</a>, the Reef Restoration Foundation transformed a coral fragment into to a reef colony that will continue to reproduce on its own. These corals were grown in Australia’s first coral nursery off the coast of Cairns on Fitzroy Island. In November of last year (2022), these nursery-grown corals spawned for the first time in the Great Barrier Reef.  “We planted coral cuttings in a degraded patch of reef and these pioneer species have grown to around 1m in diameter helping to create a healthy and complex habitat for various corals and marine life,” commented Marine Biologist and Master Reef Guide Azri Saparwan. “The spawning was a showcase of how the Great Barrier Reef generates new coral recruits each year as part of its regeneration process.” <h2 id="3">Coral rehabilitation</h2> From restoring damaged reefs to creating artificial reefs that allow the development of coral colonies, the numerous approaches to reef restoration and rehabilitation reflect a concerted and creative effort to tackle coral conservation.  One example is <a href="https://www.reefmagic.com.au/">Reef Magic</a>, a sustainable marine tourism company off the Great Barrier Reef. It is dedicated to the reef’s preservation and has been experimenting with the use of reef stars to help protect damaged areas of the reef. Reef stars were first conceptualized in 2011 by <a href="https://www.mars.com/news-and-stories/articles/coral-reef-rehabilitation">MARS</a>, a purpose-driven company that began installing reef stars in South Sulawesi, Indonesia to provide a stable surface for corals to grow. Since this initial experiment, these limestone-coated steel structures have been used to help secure damaged reefs in Australia, Bali, and beyond. The first reef stars were placed on a part of Moore Reef off the coast of Cairns in June 2020, a project implemented by Reef Magic and <a href="https://www.gbrbiology.com/">GBR Biology</a>, a team of marine biologists conducting research and leading educational snorkel tours on the Great Barrier Reef. Initially, the findings on Moore Reef show that Reef Stars increase coral growth or transform rubble dominated areas to coral dominated areas. In the past 18 months, there has been a 50% increase in coral growth. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/responsibletravel/participation/reef-belize-content-2-resized.jpg" alt="An aerial shot of a coral reef in Belize." /><figcaption>Aerial of Belize Barrier Reef Reserve. Photo credit: Julio Maaz and WCS</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="4">Knowledge generation and community involvement</h2> With all the intensive research and innovations in the field of marine conservation comes a responsibility to share it with other countries and organizations. The <a href="https://www.barrierreef.org/">Great Barrier Reef Foundation</a> has been heading up a united, comprehensive approach to achieve the change needed through its Reef Recovery 2030 program. Improving water quality, restoring damaged reefs and coastal ecosystems, and the protection of at-risk reefs are among the target strategies, and 43 interventions complement these goals, including enhanced coral breeding, reducing the exposure of reefs to heat stress, and treatment of damaged corals. Recently, a landmark partnership was initiated between UNESCO, the Great Barrier Reef Foundation and the Belize government to protect coral reefs and the communities that rely on them for their livelihoods. The strategy aims to safeguard the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, home to more than 1,400 species of plants and animals, from the impacts of climate change, overfishing, and unsustainable tourism. The scheme has a long-term plan that focuses on three main areas: restoring coral reefs, realizing the potential of blue carbon, and investing in sustainable livelihoods among local communities. “We know that the solutions for coral reefs will not rest with one country or community, commented Anna Marsden, the Great Barrier Reef Foundation’s Managing Director. “Which is why the Great Barrier Reef Foundation has a global focus and works in partnership with Indigenous people and local communities that are on the frontline of the fight against climate change. By working with a united purpose, we can still have hope that people and planet can thrive.” <h2 id="5">Awareness and citizen action</h2> A holistic approach to safeguarding the future of coral reefs is non-negotiable. From Coral Gardeners to Reef Restoration Foundation, awareness is at the center of all these organizations dedicated to coral conservation. The successes of their projects rests on knowledge from the general public and everyday actions taken by individuals. With a global awareness around the urgency of protection of reefs, businesses and individuals alike can check their own contribution to the protection of reefs. If you’re a frequent ocean visitor or are planning some aquatic adventures on your next vacation, look to book with a company that takes ocean conservation into account. Or, go a step further and take an educational snorkel or dive. <a href="https://www.moua.com.au/">The Museum of Underwater Art </a>in Townsville, Queensland allows you to snorkel among submerged sculptures that raise awareness surrounding reef conservation. Other ways to help? “The biggest thing we need to do is reduce carbon emissions as quickly as we can,” said Eric Fisher, Master Reef Guide with Reef Magic. “Currently, the Great Barrier Reef has not lost its ecosystem function and is quite capable of recovering on its own. However, it is under incredible pressure from climate change and individual reefs are subject to increasing cumulative disturbances in a short period of time.” So, take the bus instead of driving, and switch out your plane ticket for a train ticket. If you’re looking for a way to directly contribute to the critical efforts of coral conservation on World Ocean Day or any day, all the organizations in the throes of conducting research benefit from support. You can even <a href="https://coralgardeners.org/products/adopt-a-coral">adopt a coral</a> with Coral Gardeners and choose between one of five different climate-resistant corals that the team with collect from the lagoon, plant and grow to maturity in their nursery, and plant back into the natural reef to revitalize the biodiversity in the ocean. One coral at a time, we can all help preserve the future of coral reefs and their brilliantly abundant ecosystems.  Henry Brown 0 Coral reef and fish

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/sustainability-conferencesThe responsible travel train has well and truly left the station, but these organizations are doing more than talking about change – they’re making it happen.2023-05-31T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/sustainability-conferenceshttps://www.worldnomads.com<ul> <li><a href="#1">How to beat greenwashing</a></li> <li><a href="#2">The United Nations Climate Change Conference</a></li> <li><a href="#3">IMPACT Sustainability, Travel, and Tourism Conference</a></li> <li><a href="#4">SYNERGY and The Retreat Show</a></li> <li><a href="#5">Regenerative Travel Earth Day Summit 2023</a></li> <li><a href="#6">Green Destinations</a></li> <li><a href="#7">Our Ocean</a></li> </ul> “Tourism is a truly global force that in and of itself has the power to effect change,” remarked Robert Sandford, leading Canadian expert on sustainability in his opening speech at this <a href="https://www.tourismvictoria.com/impact">year’s IMPACT Sustainability, Travel, and Tourism Conference</a>. IMPACT is a yearly summit that takes place in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada every January. “It’s up to tourism everywhere to alert people of the beautiful world we live in that we are at risk of losing if we don’t act now.” The buzz around responsible tourism is growing louder by the day. Conversations around topics such as regenerative tourism have an increasingly significant voice. Putting these changes into practice is a different story, however. The rise of sustainable travel as a trend is watering down actionable change; the changes that need to happen to get ahead of the climate crisis and to make the travel industry a more equitable and inclusive space. <h2 id="1">How to beat greenwashing</h2> One of the biggest challenges to arise amidst the buzz is greenwashing, a tactic of conveying misleading information about an entity’s environmentally sound practices. The vision of responsible tourism isn’t simply about hotels running off of 50% renewable energy, businesses buying credit to offset their carbon emissions, and establishments banning single-use plastic. Not to discount these efforts, but individually they’re insufficient and can detract attention from the real work that needs to take place. International conferences at the confluence of climate action and responsible tourism have become formidable spaces to leverage substantial change in the industry and have the power to become even more so. By bringing together experts from many industries, these conferences host immersive experiences in intentionally chosen destinations, feature keynote speakers on crucial topics, and facilitate breakout sessions that can critically address the gaps in the industry and lay the groundwork for future change. <h2 id="2">The United Nations Climate Change Conference</h2> Also known as COP, The United Nations Climate Change Conference, is perhaps the most well-recognized global conference on climate concerns. <a href="https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/cop26">COP26</a>, held in Glasgow in 2021, exclusively focused on sustainable tourism. While the conference aimed to build on past successes and set the foundation for future action, it fell short. Instead, COP26 became a lesson in the gap between conversation and action. In the 2022 Emissions Gap Report, Inger Anderson, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme, commented: “At the Glasgow climate summit last year, countries committed to updating their climate pledges to deliver far greater emissions cuts. The Gap report documents that, collectively, the limited number of updated pledges shave less than 1 percent off projected greenhouse gas emissions in 2030. This is completely insufficient.  We need to cut 45 percent off emissions by 2030, over and above what current policies will deliver, to get on track to limiting global warming to 1.5°C.” Anderson isn’t alone in her assertion that COP26 failed to deliver what it promised. Both the climate world and the travel industry, and the intersection of the two, are muddled by conversations and trendy initiatives that lack action. In recent years, there has been a rise of small, focused conferences that are asking difficult questions and putting in the hard work to map out a plan to help countries, businesses, and environmental areas reach these goals. Goals that aren’t just a suggestion but that are necessary to get ahead of the global climate crisis and include all communities as part of the conversation, so the world doesn’t reach a tipping point from which there is no return, a point which we’re approaching at full speed.   <h2 id="3">IMPACT Sustainability, Travel, and Tourism Conference</h2> <a href="https://www.tourismvictoria.com/impact">IMPACT</a> lies at the intersection of environmental sustainability and tourism and is dedicated to laying out a detailed plan to get ahead of the climate crisis by 2030. While IMPACT’s focus lies predominantly in Canada, travel industry leaders from around the world congregate to learn, share, and discuss fundamental topics in responsible tourism and the overarching lessons are universally relevant. One of the biggest takeaways from the four-day conference: the tourism industry needs to take the climate warnings seriously, which involves laying out and following an action-oriented plan that will lower global temperatures. Before entering the conference rooms, IMPACT opens with a Day of Impact. Participants experience firsthand the changes and green initiatives stirring in Victoria, which recently became the first North American urban destination to receive a <a href="https://www.biospheretourism.com/en">Biosphere certification</a>. The harbor city is abundant in carbon-conscious hotels and farm-to-table eateries celebrating the bounties of local farmers. I flew over the pine-studded hills and deep blue waters of Vancouver Island on <a href="https://harbourair.com/">Harbour Air</a>, a seaplane company set to become the first commercial airline to go fully electric. We cruised along the Salish Sea aboard an <a href="https://www.eaglewingtours.com/">Eagle Wing</a> boat, a carbon-neutral establishment that equips its boats with ultra-silent engines to not disturb marine life. Individuals from the Lekwungen First Nation welcomed us to their ancestral land and spoke about the importance of conserving it while we sailed through <a href="https://seaforest.ca/our-story/">Sea Forest</a>, a floating kelp farm dedicated to sustainable aquaculture practices. With a newfound appreciation for witnessing responsible tourism in action, we gathered inside the eco-conscious <a href="https://www.tourismvictoria.com/meetings/victoria-conference-centre">Victoria Conference Centre</a> for three days of workshops and breakout discussions. Speakers from across British Columbia and Canada sparked crucial conversations and laid out actionable plans. From major names in the travel industry like <a href="https://www.intrepidtravel.com/en/be-sustainable">Intrepid Travel</a> and the <a href="https://serve360.marriott.com/sustain/">Marriott Hotels</a>, to local initiatives such as <a href="http://geazone.ca/">GeaZone</a> and <a href="https://www.sharcenergy.com/">SHARC Energy</a>, topics around hemp and other sustainable building materials, hydrogen vehicles, indigenous tourism, and responsible communication took center stage. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/responsibletravel/participation/sustainable-article-content-image.jpg" alt="An aerial image of people swimming in a natural swimming hole" /> <figcaption>A natural swimming hole in the jungle Photo credit: Getty Images / Thomas Barwick</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="4">SYNERGY – The Retreat Show</h2> Wellness-based travel retreats are in the unique position to shape tourism for the better, though until recently haven’t capitalized on their potential. Inspired by her love for travel and the deep impact wellness experiences had on her life and the vision to blend the two, Laura Montesanti founded Synergy. “For me, travel was a healing tool,” she reflected. “It’s a shame that the industry doesn’t have more healing tools available for individuals when they’re traveling, to use the resources around them. Go on a mindful walk in the forest while guided through a meditation, for example.” <a href="https://www.theretreatshow.com/">Synergy – The Retreat Show</a> blends slow travel and sustainability through consciously curated wellness experiences. At this annual international conference, hotels, buyers, and wellness professionals converge in an intimate, intentional space and focus on the creation of retreats that are as impactful for guests as they are for local communities and the environment. Over three days, the intimate group exchanges ideas and knowledge participates in immersive wellness experiences and inspires the future of wellness retreat travel. The locations are carefully chosen to connect with a destination well-positioned for wellness travel. The Retreat Show’s second iteration will take place in October 2023 on the Riviera Maya in Mexico and will draw on many elements of Mayan culture. Balance was an important element of Mayan culture so the theme of “balance” will be woven throughout the conference, encouraging participants to reflect on how they can bring balance into their lives and the role it plays in sustainability. Each unique detail of Synergy is a reflection of Laura’s background in tourism, wellness, and yoga. For her, wellness extends far beyond a spa, it includes immersive travel, sustainability, and community connection, including volunteering. Laura advocates for how much more we can do and experience while traveling by connecting travelers in the right spaces and to the right people. And Synergy strives to accomplish just that: to inspire individuals in the industry to take action, to include wellness as part of their experience, and to understand the concrete impact they can have in community and environmental sustainability while traveling. <h2 id="5">Regenerative Travel Earth Day Summit 2023</h2> In honor of Earth Day on 18 April 2023, <a href="https://www.regenerativetravel.com/">Regenerative Travel</a> hosted a summit in Brooklyn, New York. Regenerative Travel was founded with the intention of creating a community of action-oriented spaces and changemakers in the travel industry dedicated to eco-friendly tourism. The vision? Developing a portfolio of hotels that regenerate people and places through innovation, creativity, and lifting up underrepresented groups. Regenerative Travel’s single-+day summit packed in a lot of information featuring speakers addressing crucial topics. Topics included regenerative safaris in remote, off-grid camps; developing regenerative leadership in teams; and the importance of stewardship and educational opportunities in the travel industry. <h2 id="6">Green Destinations</h2> A non-profit dedicated to destination development and certification, <a href="https://www.greendestinations.org/gd-2023-estonia/">Green Destinations</a> is guiding cities and towns to operate more sustainably. The organization supports destinations, alongside their businesses and communities, with training programs. Green Destinations also offers a range of certifications that destinations can achieve through specific tools and parameters that verify their sustainable practices. Each year, Green Destinations hosts a summit in one of their certified destinations. This year’s summit will take place in Tallinn, Estonia, named the European Green Capital of 2023. Over the course of the summit, travel industry professionals come together to attend workshops tackling timely topics and collectively explore challenges and exchange potential solutions. The ultimate goal? To achieve collective, holistic, and sustainable growth in the tourism industry.  <h2 id="7">Our Ocean</h2> <a href="https://ouroceanpanama2023.gob.pa/areas-of-action/">Our Ocean</a> is an international conference exclusively focused on marine conservation. The eighth annual conference was held in Panama in March, where marine pollution, ecological connectivity, and sustainable tourism were among the primary focuses. Governments, civil society, scientists, and experts in the field came together to tackle the biggest challenges facing the ocean through uniting knowledge, technology, and finance. The creation of Marine Protection Areas was one priority, which can play an important role in the management and conservation of ocean biodiversity. Blue economies were another priority, meaning developing economic systems that conserve marine systems while using oceans and their resources in sustainable ways for economic growth. Finally, joint efforts to solve marine pollution—from raising awareness around ocean conservation to taking preventative and corrective action to clean the ocean, took center stage.Getty Images / Yagi Studio 0 A hiker on a wooden walkway

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/international-womens-dayThese seven inspiring women are helping change the tourism industry for the better.2023-03-06T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/international-womens-dayhttps://www.worldnomads.com<ul> <li><a href="#akashinga">Akashinga</a></li> <li><a href="#warriors">Women Warriors of the Amazon</a></li> <li><a href="#dhonk"> Divya Khandal, Dhonk Crafts </a></li> <li><a href="#soul"> Abi Osho, Soul Melanin </a></li> <li><a href="#byway">Cat Jones, Byway Travel</a></li> <li><a href="#warrior">Matricia Bower, Warrior Women</a></li> </ul> A group of young travelers gathered on couches and chairs in a cozy living room where a fire roared one stormy, rainy night. The minute Jenny began to speak, silence fell across the room. Jenny, the owner and heart and soul behind <a href="https://www.wildspiritlodge.co.za/">Wild Spirit</a>, a sustainable backpackers’ retreat in the heart of Tsitsikama Forest along South Africa’s Garden Route, had a presence that was at once captivating and gentle. Intrigued by her story and her deep reverence for the surrounding land, I spent the next week joining her on excursions to her favorite spots: wide beaches with powerful waves, orange-tinted lagoons, her veranda overlooking the dense green forest. All the while she regaled the many fascinating chapters of her life. The accidental circumstances that led her to the property where Wild Spirit now sits, keeping the doors open without discrimination during apartheid South Africa, staunchly advocating for the protection of the local ecosystem against development, petitioning the government on numerous occasions against the destruction of the species in the area, and creating environmental education programs in local schools. Jenny infused all of these feats with meditation, art, creativity, and an infectious energy, a true woman warrior in all senses. Through Wild Spirit, she acted as a fierce protector of the land and animals she loved, while creating an inviting home for travelers to rest, connect, learn, and create while on the road in South Africa. On my travels and international work over the past decade and a half, I’ve been continuously humbled by the women I’ve encountered, Jenny being one among many. The women who have opened up their homes and shared food and traditions with me; women who have told me their fears, their frustrations, and their dreams. I have talked about women’s rights with young women on the steps of Chefchaouen, Morocco and helped a new friend get ready for her wedding day in Orchha, India while talking about arranged marriage. In a salon in Siem Reap, I listened to a Cambodian woman talk about being divided by her love for her culture and her fear of the government. And at the end of gender empowerment workshops in rural northwestern Tanzania, during which women shared stories of abuse and their hopes for their future, they drew me into a joyful dance circle celebrating community.   These women are changemakers, trailblazers, and everyday heroes standing up for something they believe in. They are humble, brave, and fiercely resilient, often in the face of discrimination and oppression. In celebration of International Women’s Day on 8 March and the entire month of March, women’s history month, I am commemorating women far and wide. I’ve rounded up a handful of inspirational women who are shifting the norms in the tourism industry, steering the industry to a more equitable and sustainable future.  <h2 id="akashinga">Akashinga</h2> <a href="https://www.iapf.org/akashinga">Akashinga</a> means “Brave Ones” in Shona, and in Zimbabwe is bridging the gap between gender inequality and wildlife conservation. This powerful force of women is Africa’s first all-women, plant-based, anti-poaching unit. Akashinga’s focuses on educating the community to understand the benefits of preserving wildlife, and shifting the way that animals on the continent are protected. The work is both mentally and physically challenging, as well as dangerous at times, requiring all women to undergo intensive training including first aid, communications, weapon handling, and field combat. While this is traditionally a job held by men, these women have fought against societal standards, embody courage, and have well earned their title as “The Brave Ones.” Purity Mapa, former title junior ranger and current Coach Ranger Life Saver commented, “The most rewarding aspect of my work is that the IAPF is constantly bringing me opportunities I would otherwise not have had. The role of women in the African culture is to take care of children at home and do most of the household chores… The IAPF is changing much of this… they came to my community and empowered economically and socially disadvantaged women.” And her message for girls around the world? “I just want to say that, no matter what, don't look down upon yourself. Keep on seeing possibilities only. As long as you're focused you can achieve everything that you want.” <h2 id="warriors">Women Warriors of the Amazon</h2> In the heart of Caru Indigenous Territory, where the rainforest opens up to the coast of northeastern Brazil, a group of Guajajara women warriors stands at the forefront of protecting the Amazon. They have named themselves “guerreiras da Floresta,” or “guardians of the forest.” In a male-dominated field, these women represent a necessary shift within the environmental movement. After bearing witness to the unsuccessful efforts of men in their community to stop illegal logging, a group of 32 women stepped in to take over. The path to being recognized as equals was one riddled with challenges but their efforts have paid off. Deforestation has decreased and the sale of illegal wood in their territory has been eradicated. The guerreiras da Floresta have also gathered larger groups of indigenous women across many regions in the Brazilian Amazon to create unity in this struggle. “This whole movement is extremely important because it shows this strength, and that women have a lot to contribute to the movement because they are part of the territory and are concerned with it, and with future generations,” said Rodrigues da Silva, guardian of the forest. <h2 id="dhonk">Divya Khandal, Dhonk Crafts</h2> Inspired by her background in wildlife conservation, Divya Khandal saw an opportunity to support women in northern India and play a unique role in regional conservation around Ranthambore National Park through <a href="https://dhonkstore.myshopify.com/">Dhonk Crafts</a>. She works with women living in the vicinity of the park, specifically the wives of former poachers, who are trained in block printing and stitching. The impact is two-fold: the work fills an employment gap in a rural area, empowering women with skills they can use to earn a living and contribute to the livelihood of their families. This alternative form of employment also provides job opportunities for people previously working in illegal activities such as hunting, woodcutting, and poaching, which has a positive impact on the conservation efforts in the region. Divya also has started a microfinance program that allows women to take out small loans to start a business, buy a sewing machine, pay for school fees or anything that will help them live a more independent lifestyle. <h2 id="soul">Abi Osho, Soul Melanin</h2> From the English countryside to the rolling green hills of Rwanda, Abi Osho connects black women on soul-stirring retreats specifically designed to help them connect with their ancestral roots and other women with shared experiences. A brainchild that emerged from the pandemic, <a href="https://www.soulmelanin.com/retreats">Soul Melanin</a> fills a gap in the travel and retreat space. When reflecting on her past experience of often being the only black woman in retreat spaces, Abi commented: “It felt to me that there was still a disconnect regarding understanding more about myself, my challenges as a black woman, and how differently I navigated my lived experience.” Cue Soul Melanin, which offers safe, self-growth experiences solely for black women where they are nourished and heard. The concept is very much a reflection of her own journey, in stepping away from a life overwhelmed by stress and burnout and pursuing a path of holistic well-being and energetic alignment. “I wanted to create a space where we could genuinely be ourselves, discuss issues around, self-discovery, and health and embrace the power of nature-based spaces,” Abi said. “It's very much about connecting back to their ancestral roots, re-centering their internal power, and embracing who they are becoming on their self-discovery journey.” <h2 id="byway">Cat Jones, Byway Travel</h2> Cat Jones embodies the concept of slow living, and slow travel. Noticing a gap in the travel industry, she founded <a href="https://www.byway.travel/">Byway Travel</a> in 2020 from her UK home during the first lockdown. Her goal? To curate custom trips that eliminate airplanes and minimize their carbon footprint. “Having never owned a car myself, I’ve always taken a multi-stop, multi-modal approach to my trips,” Cat commented. “I founded Byway… to create the technology that would make my kind of travel possible at scale.” Byway takes the work off the plate of travelers and has made airplane-free possible, to the places “in-between.” In essence, Byway changes how one travels and draws tourists away from travel spots. During the 2.5 years that Byway has been in operation, the company has experienced incredible growth. One of the best parts? More than 60% of the travelers booking are traditionally flyers, suggesting a shift in the way in which people travel. “Slow travel is a mindset,” Cat reflected. “It’s about traveling overland, staying in locally owned accommodation, stopping en route and taking time to get to know a place, its food, history, culture and its people.” <h2 id="warrior">Matricia Bower, Warrior Women</h2> A mother-daughter duo running immersive experiences across Alberta, Canada, <a href="https://warrriorwomen.ca/">Warrior Women</a> seeks to educate about the culture and traditions of the Cree First Nations. They host pow-wow experiences and drumming shows, among other cultural offerings that help preserve and bring to life their ancestral traditions. A major focal point of its work is in plant medicine, including leading experiential plant medicine experiences in Jasper National Park. Reflecting on the significance of plant medicine in her indigenous roots, Matricia commented, “Indigenous peoples have been coexisting, healing and taking care of the environment for centuries. Each plant has a creation story and a song and a Cree name… So, I share Indigenous ways of knowing and being and challenge visitors to think outside what they know.” And her reminder for girls and women around the world for this International Women’s Day? “We all have a story and we deserve to take up space sharing it.”Getty Images / Klaus Vedfelt 0 A woman celebrates with laughter

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/the-return-of-train-travelAs travelers try to balance a desire to explore the world with trying to battle the causes of climate change, could traveling by train be the answer?2024-11-12T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/the-return-of-train-travelhttps://www.worldnomads.com<ul> <li><a href="#comeback">Train travel makes a comeback</a></li> <li><a href="#environment">Breakdown of environmental benefits</a></li> <li><a href="#sustainable">Sustainable advances and the future of the train industry</a></li> <li><a href="#global">Global train adventures</a></li> </ul> The unsteady tempo of the train lurched back and forth, carving its way through steep emerald tea fields. Standing on the edge of the open doorway, I allowed the wind and rain to tickle my face as we made our ascent into Sri Lanka's vivid hill country. I had the best place on board, privy to the ever-changing climate and scenery, watching small towns, Buddhist relics, and plantations pass by. Behind me, the train car was flooded with chaotic and joyful music as a Sri Lankan family beat drums and sang to the rhythm of the train. I smiled to myself, reminded that the actual journey adds a level of depth and element of surprise to travel that the destination simply cannot.  <h2 id="comeback">Train travel makes a comeback</h2> Before traveling in the great blue sky became as common as taking the bus, there was a time when overland travel by train wasn’t just a trend, it was the norm. Train travel to destinations near and far was once a leading means to adventure across the globe (unless you had to cross an ocean, that is). During the mid-20th century, airplanes slowly started to become the standard rather than a luxury mode of transport and in 1955, for the first time, more people in the United States traveled by plane than train. The world hasn’t really looked back since, as an explosion of air travel shrunk the globe, turning once days-, if not weeks- or months-long travel into mere hours. The consequences on the environment have been dire, as aviation travel is responsible for 2.5% of global carbon emissions and road travel accounts for approximately 10% of these direct emissions. In an age where slow, intentional travel is finding its place again and green living takes center stage, the allure of train travel is making a comeback. From commuter trains, <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/planet/why-traveling-overnight-means-traveling-light">sleeper trains</a> to slow, scenic journeys reminiscent of travels from a bygone era, train travel in every sense is on the rise. Outdated rails are being replaced by high-speed, modern structures and as a whole, trains are becoming more efficient, and more alluring to the carbon-conscious traveler. <h2 id="environment">Breakdown of environmental benefits</h2> Beyond simply immersing travelers in their surroundings, train travel also offers steep environmental benefits, particularly in comparison to plane and car travel. Since trains still burn a significant amount of fuel, what exactly makes trains so much more sustainable? Even though the train may be a big carbon emitter, it’s designed to carry a lot more passengers than either cars or domestic jets, so the per capita emissions are much lower. And trains are increasingly being powered by electricity. Train travel isn’t just a sustainable alternative to flying, it’s also vastly better for the environment than driving. Based on <a href="https://ourworldindata.org/travel-carbon-footprint" target="_blank">research</a> conducted by UK Government, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero in 2022, domestic flights are responsible for the highest carbon emissions, at 246g per capita, with long-haul flights coming in at 148g. Gas-powered cars with four passengers emit 43g/capita, however if cars only carry one person, they jump ahead of flights at 171g. Emissions from trains vary based on the type of train and route. Domestic rail came out to 35g/person, while the Eurostar experienced a significant drop with only 4g/person. Besides being efficient and convenient, Eurail is one of the <a href="https://www.eurail.com/en/eurail-passes/everything-you-need-know-about-eurail/advantages-train-travel/why-eurail-your-greenest-choice">greenest option to explore Europe</a>. The average Eurail trip emits between 66% and 75% less carbon than traveling by car or plane. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/responsibletravel/traintravel/train-travel-in-copy.jpg" alt="The Amtrak Pacific Surfliner travels through Southern California." /> <figcaption> The Amtrak Pacific Surfliner travels through Southern California. Photo credit: Getty Images/Laser1987</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="sustainable">Sustainable advances and the future of the train industry</h2> The environmental benefits of trains may be outweighed by other factors at first glance when it comes to ease of travel. Trains have a reputation of being slower and more expensive, and often outdated. Thus, travelers are put in the position of choosing between affordable travel and environmental sustainability. This is changing, though, with many countries jumping on the train, figuratively that is, to make train travel cheaper, faster, and more modern. The rise of <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/future-rail-travel-cmd/index.html">bullet trains</a>, an experience once just associated with Japan, where they are known as the <a href="/explore/eastern-asia/japan/getting-around-in-japan">shinkansen</a>, are setting out to make train travel more efficient. The fastest bullet trains can travel up to 200mph (320kph). New lines are currently underway in Japan, as well as Germany, Spain, France, India, and China. In the United Kingdom, the new High Speed 2 trains are underway and by the time they’re launched in the early 2030s, they’ll hold the title of the world’s fastest conventional trains. Train systems are being revitalized to reduce their carbon emissions. Many major train lines, especially in Europe, are run by electricity. When coupled with electricity generated by renewable energy sources, rails have the potential to be carbon-free. Other alternatives include trains running on hydrogen or batteries. There are still great strides to be made, as many trains still run on diesel – 90% in the US and Canada. However, even many diesel trains are underdoing green modernization. <a href="https://www.alstom.com/" target="_blank">Alstom</a>, a UK-based sustainable travel company, for example, is helping renovate existing trains with tabletops made from recycled plastic bottles and biodegradable carpets, while recycling old parts to create a circular economy.  <h2 id="global">Global train adventures</h2> Shake the need to hop from point A to point B at high speed and look into booking a cross-country or cross-continental train trip instead. Needing to cross a body of water? Look into crossing by ferry and then hopping on a train once you’re on dry land. Choose between scenic railways far and wide. You can traverse the vast terrain of North America by <a href="https://www.amtrak.com/routes">Amtrak</a> and along the way, glimpse national parks, cruise along the vast Pacific Coast, and admire the snow-capped peaks of the Cascade Mountains from your window. Across the pond, small towns and historic sites of Europe can be journeyed to by train. While most travelers are no strangers to the expansive reaches of the Eurail, new additions are continuously being added. The new <a href="https://www.europeansleeper.eu/" target="_blank">European Sleeper train</a> from London to <a href="/explore/europe/germany/berlin-locals-guide">Berlin</a>, Amsterdam, and Brussels launched in May 2023, for example. Other intriguing developments in European trail travel include Inntravel’s rail pilgrimage from Bilbao to Bordeaux, satiating the curiosity of food and wine lovers. <a href="https://www.railbaltica.org/route-alternative-approved-for-the-future-construction-of-the-rail-baltica-railway-from-kaunas-to-the-border-with-poland/" target="_blank">Rail Baltica</a> is starting new lines to connect the Polish border to Baltic cities. And as for the rest of the world, your options are almost limitless. Head to Mombasa by train instead of plane. Reaching Kenya’s biggest port city by train doesn’t just reduce your carbon emissions, it takes you on an epic adventure through the wild terrain of Kenya. This scenic journey aboard the <a href="https://metickets.krc.co.ke/" target="_blank">Madaraka Express</a> winds its way through Tsavo National Park and if you’re lucky, you can spot grazing giraffes and zebra along the way. In late 2023, <a href="https://www.trenmaya.gob.mx/" target="_blank">Tren Maya</a> launched on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. This new rail route takes you from the Mayan ruins at Palenque to the dreamy beaches of Cancun, through spectacular scenery along the way. The most adventurous wanderers can hop aboard the <a href="https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20190904-an-exhilarating-train-journey-across-the-sahara">Train du Desert</a>, Mauritania’s 1960’s-era train that carries passengers for over 700km across the Sahara Desert. Noted as being one of the longest trains in the world, the Train du Desert consists of metal boxes traversing long stretches of hot desert, making stops at tiny towns along the way. Planning an epic journey by train? Find out <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/travel-insurance">how travel insurance</a> can cover lost or stolen baggage, sudden illness, or other mishaps and help your trip stay on track.Getty Images / Jonathan Filskov Photography 0 Getty Images A train travels through autumnal trees

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/what-the-uns-sustainability-goals-mean-for-travelIf undertaken consciously, travel can be a force for good – helping to create more equitable communities, conserve delicate ecosystems, and promote clean energy. Here’s how the travel industry is rising to the challenge.2023-01-03T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/what-the-uns-sustainability-goals-mean-for-travelhttps://www.worldnomads.comIn 2000, as the world welcomed in the new millennium, the United Nations set a series of <a href="https://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/">Millennium Development Goals</a> to be achieved by 2015. These goals were groundbreaking – the first international consensus drafted with the intention of tackling global problems such as poverty and hunger, access to education, and environmental sustainability. In September 2015, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) laid out another set of goals to be accomplished by 2030, including <a href="https://sdgs.un.org/goals">17 Sustainable Development Goals</a> (SDGs). One distinction that sets the 2030 iteration apart is the inclusion of the tourism industry in the plan to achieve the SDGs: clean water and sanitation (SDG #6), affordable and clean energy (SDG #7), sustainable cities and communities (SDG #11), responsible consumption and production (SDG #12), gender equality (SDG #5), economic growth (SDG #8), life below water (SDG #14), and life on land (SDG #15). The vision behind the goals is that governments, along with the public and private sectors, can collaboratively tackle these universal problems. <ul> <li><a href="#tourism">How do the Sustainable Development Goals translate to changes in tourism?</a></li> <li><a href="#travelers">How can travelers help work towards these goals?</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="tourism">How do the Sustainable Development Goals translate to changes in tourism?</h2> While it’s one thing to put goals on paper, how are they put into practice and how do they translate into tangible change? From shifts in how we travel – slow travel, train travel, sustainable aviation fuels – to rethinking the restaurant, hospitality, and travel businesses, the tourism industry at large is abundant with innovators and changemakers leading the way. The impact is immense. In conducting research and reflecting on my own travels, I was humbled to come across so many examples of action-oriented tourism rooted in ethical, sustainable experiences. <h3>Elimination of single-use plastics</h3> From plastic bag bans to eliminating plastic straws, <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/planet/how-to-reduce-plastic-use-while-you-travel">plastic</a> is no stranger to the issue of environmental responsibility. Bangladesh was the first country to introduce a full ban on single-use plastics in 2002. Now, 80 countries, including Rwanda, Thailand, Kenya, Tanzania, and the Caribbean islands of Aruba and Dominica, have implemented a full or partial ban on single-use plastics. In late 2018, Peru banned single-use plastics in Machu Picchu to help preserve this iconic site. What does this mean for travelers? Bring your reusable tote bag and a refillable water bottle on your travels, to start. Many hotels provide reusable water bottles for guests’ use, and some restaurants in places where the tap water is undrinkable offer filtered water instead of bottled water as an option. <h3>Carbon footprint reduction</h3> The travel industry’s carbon footprint is one of its biggest environmental challenges. Efforts to achieve carbon neutrality have sparked a movement to reconceptualize what it means to be sustainable. Though transport is one of the greatest contributors to carbon emissions, electric vehicles and other alternatives are becoming more prevalent, with companies like Nairobi-based electric vehicle company, <a href="https://www.roammotors.com/" target="_blank">Roam</a>, popping up, as well as green options on transport apps like Uber. Tourism companies are also beginning to switch to electric vehicles. <a href="https://www.emboo.camp/" target="_blank">Emboo River</a>, a safari camp in Kenya’s Maasai Mara, for example, has taken their traditional Land Cruisers and updated their old engines with electric systems charged by solar power. This eliminates the carbon footprint from both the fuel and the electricity. An added bonus? Guests have the privilege of taking silent safaris through the grassy plains of the Maasai Mara while leaving no fuel trail behind. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/responsibletravel/undp-goals/electric-safari-vehicles-emboo.jpg" alt="A driver parks next to a herd of elephants in an electric-powered safari vehicle in Kenya." /> <figcaption>One of Emboo River's electric-powered safari vehicles. Image credit: Emboo River / Brian Siambi</figcaption></figure> Emboo is East Africa’s first carbon-neutral camp. Beyond running off solar power and using electric safari vehicles, the team has taken measures to reduce their footprint in every way they can while increasing their positive impact on local communities and ecosystems. Natural cleaning and shower products, local plants to filter wastewater, a vertical, on-site garden, and converting food waste into biogas are just a few examples. One of the most exciting evolutions in the global effort to reduce carbon emissions is the research being poured into <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/carbon-offset-schemes">sustainable aviation travel</a>. United Airlines, for example, has <a href="https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/company/global-citizenship/environment.html" target="_blank">pledged to become 100% green</a> by 2050 without relying on traditional carbon offsets. As part of this effort, United signed an agreement to buy up to 52.5 million gals of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), produced from 100% sustainably sourced renewable waste (including cooking oil, waste oil, food scraps, paper, and textiles). While some types of SAF are more efficient than others, they all provide a significant reduction in carbon emissions in comparison to traditional jet fuels. <h3>Renewable energy</h3> Renewable energy sources such as solar and wind are key in expanding access to electricity and reducing carbon emissions. Alternative energy has grown at an annual rate of 15% since 2015. If exponential growth continues at this rate, renewables will comprise 45% of energy by 2030. The use of partial or full renewables is becoming an increasing standard in accommodation, households, and cooking worldwide. Recently, a sustainability revolution has been rippling its way through Kenya. At the United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2021 (aka <a href="https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/cop26" target="_blank">COP26</a>), the Kenyan Government committed to achieving sustainable tourism at large by 2030. Their goals include restricting vehicles in national parks and reserves to only those using non-fossil renewable energy and requiring hospitality and tourism facilities in Kenya to adopt renewable energy by 2030. In reflecting on these changes, Valery Super, co-founder and CEO of Emboo River noted, “We are excited by these recent initiatives by the Kenyan government… In order to reach the UN SDGs, action and coordination are needed by various actors including policymakers, civil society, businesses, and individuals.” <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/responsibletravel/undp-goals/water-heater-hotel-roof-kenya.jpg" alt="A “sun collector” (system for heating water from sunlight) on a hotel roof in Kenya.." /> <figcaption>A “sun collector” (solar water-heating system) on a hotel roof in Kenya. Image credit: Getty Images / fotomem</figcaption></figure> <h3>Sustainable communities and economic development</h3> Sustainable tourism extends far beyond eco-friendly properties. True sustainability includes local communities as part of the plan, both from an environmental and economic development perspective. In Rwanda, a country entrenched in conservation efforts, innovations in the tourism industry are in constant motion. One of the country’s newest lodges, <a href="https://www.umvamuhazi.com/" target="_blank">UMVA</a>, a space dedicated to adventure and community on the shores of Lake Muhazi, is at the forefront of this movement. Iwona Bisaga and Nick Hu, the masterminds behind the endeavor, bring expertise in renewable energy and the humanitarian sectors – and the level of accountability that’s necessary in advancing tourism in line with the 2030 UNDP goals. From its earliest imaginings, UMVA has worked to tell a story about Rwanda that takes into account the local environment, people, and culture. The free-standing structures are made with local soil, the walls showcase the striking work of artisans from Rwanda and sub-Saharan Africa, and their community dining experience includes Rwandese dishes created with ingredients primarily grown on-site. “We’re supporting the new generation of responsible operators that hold sustainability as a key value,” Bisaga and Hu told me. “From the moment we broke ground and decided on rammed earth construction (30-40% fewer carbon emissions than traditional building techniques) to not using single-use plastics, we always look for ways to reduce our footprint on the ecosystem.” UMVA seeks to create an inclusive environment that invests in the local ecosystems and community. The construction of the property provided more than 600 jobs, of which more than 45% were carried out by women. UMVA also maintained the natural vegetation of Muhazi and planted an additional 2,000 new local species. Through its future-oriented model, UMVA hopes to make a long-term contribution to the economic growth and sustainable communities within Rwanda. “We love working with aspiring leaders and entrepreneurs. We offer an environment where our team members can get exposure to different parts of the business and its operations and can develop their leadership skills as they grow with us.” <h3>Protection of environments and species</h3> Efforts to protect biodiversity on land and in the sea are not just at the core of numerous experiential tourism offerings, they’re often closely intertwined. In recent years, research by marine biologists at the Great Barrier Reef to understand reef regeneration and coral spawning has been linked to sustainable underwater adventures for tourists. One example is <a href="https://www.reefmagic.com.au/" target="_blank">Reef Magic</a>, an eco-certified company operating diving and snorkeling from a pontoon on the reef, where marine biologists simultaneously are studying coral health. Similarly, infrastructure that’s crucial to protecting the environment and livelihoods of mountain gorillas in the rainforests of Central Africa relies on tourist dollars generated from visitors trekking with the primates (such as at <a href="https://virunga.org/" target="_blank">Virunga National Park</a> in the Democratic Republic of the Congo). <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/responsibletravel/undp-goals/reef-magic-pontoon.jpg" alt="A floating pontoon for diving, snorkeling and marine research in the Great Barrier Reef." /> <figcaption>Reef Magic's pontoon in the Great Barrier Reef. Image credit: Reef Magic</figcaption></figure> At the COP15 Biodiversity Summit in Montreal in December 2022, around 190 countries approved a sweeping United Nations agreement to protect 30% of the planet’s land and oceans by 2030. Organizations like the <a href="https://www.awf.org/" target="_blank">African Wildlife Foundation</a>, which undertakes imperative work to protect natural environments and promote anti-poaching efforts, engaged in discussions surrounding best practices in conservation. The scope of efforts to protect wildlife and environments can be further be seen through organizations like <a href="https://www.africanparks.org/" target="_blank">African Parks Network</a> (APN), which works to rehabilitate devastated national parks and their resident wildlife. In November 2021, APN helped facilitate the relocation of 30 white rhinos to Akagera Park in Rwanda to create a protected habitat for this endangered species. <h3>Gender equality</h3> Despite playing a major role in tourism, women are often underpaid, overworked, and excluded from leadership positions. <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/people/how-wmnswork-is-diversifying-the-travel-industry">Gender equity</a> is a vital component of the 2030 goals and the tourism sector can play a role in achieving it. There are many miles still to travel for this equitable future to be a reality, but significant strides have been made. In November 2021, <a href="https://www.unwto.org/gender-and-tourism" target="_blank">United Nations World Tourism Organization</a> (UNWTO) in Malaysia hosted the first conference on women’s empowerment in tourism in the Asia Pacific region. While women comprise 53% of the tourism workforce in Asia, they primarily hold lower-paid positions. The conference set the stage for shifting gender norms in tourism in the region. In Zimbabwe, <a href="https://www.iapf.org/akashinga" target="_blank">Akashinga</a> is Africa’s only all-women anti-poaching unit. This female force is revolutionizing the way wildlife is protected against poachers with minimal conflict. The impact of Akashinga isn’t just felt in anti-poaching efforts – it’s also resulted in a team of empowered women who can buy property, send their children to school, continue their education, and provide for their families. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/responsibletravel/undp-goals/akashinga.jpg " alt="Members of an all-female anti-poaching unit on patrol in Kenya." /> <figcaption>Members of the Akashinga anti-poaching unit out on patrol. Image credit: International Anti-Poaching Foundation</figcaption></figure> Just last month, Emboo hosted the first Women’s Empowerment Meeting for the tourism sector. Super commented: “The tourism industry in Kenya – and in many other places around the world – is male-dominated. At Emboo River we are changing this by having many trailblazing women in the team… challenging stereotypes and setting an example for other women. By joining forces, sharing experiences, speaking up, and taking action we are paving the way for ourselves and other women in our community.” <h2 id="travelers">How can travelers help work towards these goals?</h2> Awareness is the first step. Understand where your money is going. Are you staying at hotels and eating at restaurants that support local farmers, chefs, and other community members? Is your wildlife experience ethical and does it contribute to the conservation of vulnerable species and local ecosystems? Does the company you choose to trek with support fair wages and working conditions for the local workforce? Sometimes, these questions can be tricky to answer from afar and it’s best to revert to the experts. Over the past few years, a number of travel companies have popped up that are dedicated to curating trips that are conscious of local communities and environments. Switzerland-based travel company <a href="https://fairvoyage.com/" target="_blank">Fair Voyage</a> is a B Corp-certified entity that connects travelers to sustainable experiences and local guides. Fair’s trips aim to benefit local communities and minimize one’s footprint. <a href="https://www.viatu.com/" target="_blank">Viatu</a>, a relative newcomer to the travel space, uses tech to design high-impact, low-footprint travel experiences across the African continent and make sustainable travel accessible for everyone. Their motto? “Travel with a purpose.” Another way travelers can help is through <a href="/responsible-travel/footprints">World Nomads' Footprints Network</a>. Travelers can choose to give a micro-donation to a community development or conservation project when they buy a <a href="/travel-insurance">travel insurance policy</a>. All Footprints projects are carefully vetted and align with the UN's Sustainable Development goals. Travel doesn’t have to cause a negative impact on the globe. If undertaken consciously and in collaboration with mindful, goal-oriented entities, travel can actually contribute to global development, equitable communities, and the conservation of delicate ecosystems and species. So do as Viatu suggests and travel with a purpose.Emboo River / Brian Siambi 0 Emboo River / Brian Siambi A Maasai guide drives an electric-powered safari vehicle in Kenya.

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/6-reasons-to-reconsider-a-cruiseCruising may be back in a big way but there are good reasons not to jump on the bandwagon – cruise ships are more harmful to the planet than you may think.2022-12-12T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/6-reasons-to-reconsider-a-cruisehttps://www.worldnomads.comNo longer the domain of retirees reclining on poolside sun loungers with cocktails in hand, cruising is gaining appeal with younger holidaymakers and adventurers looking to explore the world in style. Newer, better ships are being built every year as cruise lines compete to lure first-time cruisers and keep repeat guests coming back for more. Dowdy and dated cruise ships are also being updated with interiors akin to luxury resorts with everything from bowling alleys and snow grottos to zip lines, water slides and Michelin-starred restaurants. But at what cost to the environment? More than 30 million people booked a cruise in 2019 and, while COVID-19 clearly caused a hiccup in cruising’s exponential growth, it is once again the fastest-growing sector in the tourism industry. Passenger numbers are expected to reach pre-pandemic numbers by the end of 2023 – and grow a further 12 percent by 2026. Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas is currently the biggest cruise ship in the world, carrying up to 6,988 passengers and 2,300 crew. There are seven neighborhoods on board, along with an ice rink, 24 dining options, casinos, theatres, gyms and even parklands. It should come as no surprise that the cost of moving a ship that size through the ocean comes at a price to the environment, but it isn’t just the giant vessels that do the damage. A recent study found that passengers on board a cruise to Antarctica can produce the same carbon emissions on a seven-day expedition as the average European produces over the course of an entire year. <ul> <li><a href="#1">Sewage has to go somewhere</a></li> <li><a href="#2">Local communities suffer</a></li> <li><a href="#3">Carbon emissions are excessive</a></li> <li><a href="#4">Leftover food goes overboard</a></li> <li><a href="#5">There’s only so much that can be recycled</a></li> <li><a href="#5">Cruise ships cause noise pollution</a></li> </ul> Despite the efforts cruise lines are making to reduce their impact on the environment, there’s no doubt this mode of travel takes a toll on fragile ecosystems, marine life and the planet as a whole. Here’s how to cruise more sustainably if it’s something you still want to do. <h2 id="1">1. Sewage has to go somewhere</h2> Passengers on a seven-night cruise on a mid-sized ship can generate more than 750,000 liters of blackwater otherwise known as sewage. According to Friends of the Earth, which measures the environmental footprint of 18 major cruise lines and 213 cruise ships in an annual Cruise Ship Report Card, most of the sewage generated on cruise ships is released untreated into the sea. Once these floating resorts move a few miles away from shore, they are no longer required to treat sewage before discharging it.  <h2 id="2">2. Local communities suffer</h2> Ever had to leave a public swimming pool due to a Code Brown? The same issue can affect coastal communities when raw sewage is dumped just offshore as waves and currents carry human excrement into populated areas. Less visible but no less harmful, sewage can also contain chemicals, pharmaceuticals, bacteria, viruses, heavy metals and hazardous waste.  When cruise ships carrying thousands of people descend on a port, the impact on local people is significant. While business owners prosper when cashed-up cruisers arrive, local people trying to go about their lives can find the crowds an imposition. Little wonder port cities such as Venice are restricting all but the smallest cruise ships from its waters. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/responsibletravel/cruise-ship/cruise-ship-inarticle2.jpg" alt="cruise ships" /><figcaption>Tourists leaving cruise ship. Photo credit: Gary D Ercole</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="3">3. Carbon emissions are excessive</h2> An overnight stay on board a cruise ship uses 12 times more energy than a stay in a land-based hotel, according to a study published in the Marine Pollution Bulletin. Cruise ships keep their motors running 24 hours a day, even when they’re in port and the largest cruise ships weigh more than 230,000 gross registered tons, so moving them through the water is no mean feat. Even medium-sized ships use around <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/carbon-offset-schemes">150 tonnes of fuel </a>a day, emitting as much particulate as a million cars. <h2 id="4">4. Leftover food goes overboard</h2> All-you-can-eat buffets piled high with food of every description may be fun, but they’re less fun when you think about what happens to the <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/people/zero-waste-dining">leftovers</a>. Unprocessed food waste can be lawfully disposed of 12 nautical miles from land, and there’s an awful lot of it. Uneaten food from passenger plates and kitchen scraps from the numerous restaurants on board all add up. While more responsible ships use bio-digesters to churn up waste before dumping it overboard, this isn’t required by law. <h2 id="5">5. There’s only so much that can be recycled</h2> In theory, cruise ship rubbish is either incinerated on board or collected for recycling (glass, plastic, aluminum and paper) but the industry has a poor record when it comes to <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/people/destination-zero-waste">waste</a> management, with some cruise lines fined for dumping plastic at sea.  It isn’t just rubbish generated on board that’s the problem, however. When ships reach the end of their lives, they go to cruise ship graveyards for stripping and gradual dismantling. While much of the metal can be melted down and everything from light fittings to life jackets sold off, everything that can’t be repurposed, sold on, or recycled ends up as landfill. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/responsibletravel/cruise-ship/cruise-ship-inarticle1.jpg" alt="Water pollution" /><figcaption>Water pollution from a cruise ship. Photo credit: Jordan Lye</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="6">6. Cruise ships cause noise pollution</h2> The engine/propellor noise and vibration ships make as they move through the water can interfere with marine life breeding and feeding, cause stress-hormone levels to spike, and even damage the hearing of marine mammals such as dolphins and <a href="/explore/north-america/mexico/whales-and-sea-turtles">whales</a>. As the number of cruise ships (and ships in general) rises, marine noise pollution will intensify. Still want to go on a cruise? There are ways to reduce your cruising footprint: <ul> <li>Choose a small ship. The smaller the ship, the lower its impact on the environment. Think river cruises, small expedition ships and wind-powered vessels.</li> <li>Support cruise lines committed to the planet. </li> <li>Do your research and choose a cruise ship using scrubbers (exhaust gas cleaning systems) that meet or exceed air emissions requirements.</li> <li>Seek out ships using LNG fuel, which cuts carbon emissions by a quarter.</li> <li>Support cruise lines striving to become carbon neutral by 2050.</li> <li>Choose a hybrid cruise ship that generates <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/planet/off-the-grid-travel-stays-zero-emissions-maximum-fun">zero emissions</a> when in port.</li> </ul>Daniel Piraino / EyeEm 0 Cruise ships

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/ethics-around-slum-tourismVisiting dense, poverty-stricken areas of a destination can show travelers a side of the culture they wouldn’t otherwise see. But how can travelers do so safely, and without exploiting those who live there?2022-10-20T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/ethics-around-slum-tourismhttps://www.worldnomads.comI walked along the edges of the train tracks, which cut through dense urban sprawl. On either side of the tracks were makeshift stands selling used electronics, food, and other basic necessities. Twice a day, the train passed through and people hopped on and off the rail to transport them to and from the city center. This makeshift market was abuzz with people and businesses and ran parallel through Kibera, a densely packed human settlement in southern Nairobi at the epicenter of the ebb and flow of human life. Slums are a reality in many large cities around the world. Packed into compact urban spaces are houses, people, schools, businesses, and centers of worship. A dense and sometimes seemingly impenetrable entity to outsiders, slums are home to some of the city’s poorest residents. While commonly associated with poverty, crime, and deteriorating infrastructure, slums are also brimming with life, stories, and innovation, and reveal a unique side to a city that typical tourist spots don’t show. <ul> <li><a href="#ethical">How to find ethical slum-tourism experiences </a></li> <li><a href="#recommended">Recommended experiences</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="ethical">How to find ethical slum-tourism experiences</h2> If you’re curious to experience the hidden face of Mumbai, Nairobi, Rio de Janeiro, or another city, it’s not advisable to adventure into a slum on your own, but there are a number of safe and ethical ways to visit these dense urban settlements. Slum tourism can be controversial and complex. To avoid experiences and tours that exploit communities living in slums, ask yourself what your motivation is for visiting. Are you curious to learn more and get in touch with a very real side to a city, or are you doing research for a project? Krishna Pujari, the co-founder of Reality Tours in Mumbai, recommends asking yourself three questions when finding the right tour for you: “Who is running the tours, how are they doing it, and why are they doing it?” Krishna and his business partner, Chris Way, first imagined the concept of tours through Dharavi in 2005 when slum tourism was an unheard-of concept in Mumbai. “When we first came up with the plan, my friends laughed at us,” commented Krishna. “’ You guys are crazy,’ they said. ‘Who wants to go in the slum? If you go into Dharavi, you won’t come out.’” On his first visit to Dharavi, Krishna was surprised. The slum he had grown up hearing about wasn’t unsafe. Instead, he was struck by the entrepreneurship and commercial activity abuzz in the area. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/responsibletravel/slum-tourism/dharavi-kumbharwada-pottery-colony.jpg" alt="The pottery colony in the Kumbharwada neighborhood of Mumbia's Dharavi slum." /> <figcaption>The pottery colony in the Kumbharwada neighborhood, the oldest area of Dharavi. Image credit: Reality Tours</figcaption></figure> “I wanted to show the positive side of Dharavi. Yes, there are electricity wires hanging, a lack of sanitation, and poor working conditions. But there is a strong sense of community. We want to show this to people and change the mindset they have. This is exactly why Reality Tours started. And to raise funds for projects in Dharavi.” In my experience, I’ve found a few elements that are positive indicators of ethical tours: a photo ban to <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/people/how-to-take-photos-responsibly">protect the privacy of the community</a>; highlighting small businesses to showcase entrepreneurship as opposed to degradation; and experiences run by community members themselves to elevate local voices. A little research can go a long way to familiarize yourself with the company well and look out for potential scams. <h2 id="recommended">Recommended slum-tourism experiences</h2> I’ve found some great companies that are careful to provide experiences with dignity but also directly benefit small businesses and entrepreneurs living and operating within the slums. Word of mouth and Airbnb Experiences have both been fantastic resources to help me find educational, empowering inner-city and slum walking tours. Read reviews and tour details to learn more about the authenticity of the experience and where your money is going. Below are a few recommended slum experiences for the curious and conscious traveler. <a href="https://realitytoursandtravel.com/" target="_blank">Reality Tours</a> (Mumbai): from Shantaram to Slumdog Millionaire, Dharavi – a heaving slum in the center of Mumbai – has gained quite some notoriety in popular media. If you’re curious to learn more about one of the world’s largest slums, where nearly a million people live in just over .75mi2 (2km2), Reality Tours runs immersive and educational walking tours that are deeply rooted in benefiting the local community. Photos are banned during the tour, the experience is led by members of the community, and 80% of the profits from tours go back to the community through Reality Gives, the company’s NGO that supports educational programs in Dharavi. “Access to quality education is one of the biggest challenges in India,” noted Krishna. “So, our funds go to help that.” Beyond education, Reality Tours also supports employment and families in Dharavi. You can choose between a morning or afternoon tour and will be met by your guide at Mahim Railway Station. Over the next few hours, you’ll walk through narrow alleys, past bright-hued buildings, and into the energetic depths of Dharavi. You’ll catch views over the stretches of tin roofs and pass by Hindu temples and long mats where Muslim residents worship for afternoon prayer. You’ll visit numerous businesses in Dharavi, including a women-run poppadum entity, a recycling business, and a leather tanning company. The tour ends at Reality Gives, the NGO branch of Reality Tours, where you can learn about the educational innovation happening within Dharavi. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/responsibletravel/slum-tourism/dharavi-metal-recycling.jpg" alt="A recycling business in the Dharavi slum in Mumbai, India." /> <figcaption>A recycling business in Dharavi. Metal and plastic come from all over the world to be recycled in Dharavi. Image credit: Reality Tours</figcaption></figure> If you’re curious to learn more, add on a lunch at a family home, street art tour, or pottery-making class. Reality Tours also operates in Delhi and Agra and is growing to rural areas of India, dedicated to telling authentic stories about the real side of India, while directly supporting the communities it works in. <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/experiences/561991" target="_blank">Kibera Empowerment Tour</a> (Nairobi): after making several trips to Nairobi, I was curious to experience a part of the city I had previously studied in university but hadn’t seen firsthand: Kibera, the largest urban slum on the African continent that originated as a settlement in the forest on the outskirts of Nairobi, where Nubian soldiers returning from service with the British colonial army were allocated plots of land. Among many tours of Kibera on Airbnb Experiences, I ultimately chose Moses’ Empowerment Tour, as I admired his story and how it shaped his personally led walking tours. He was born and raised in Kibera, is a current Kibera resident, and works tirelessly as an entrepreneur to tell the story of his home through the lens of his personal experience and other entrepreneurs in Kibera. “I show Kibera from the insiders’ point of view,” commented Moses. “I bring to you all the community-led projects that are meant to uplift people from devastating poverty.” After I met Moses outside a shopping center on the outskirts of Kibera, we navigated across bumpy, mud pathways and past small wooden stands selling produce and made our way to Moses’ humble, one-room home, where guests got a glance at typical living conditions in the slum and learn about the complex makeup of this dynamic urban space. After we left his home, we continued a few-hour exploration of Kibera. Moses’ walking tour highlights a number of businesses within Kibera, including stops at a metal and jewelry welding shop, a bakery, and a center to support HIV-positive women. “By visiting Kibera with me,” said Moses, “guests are able to understand how locals lead their lives and what entrepreneurs are doing to turn things around.” <a href="http://www.comuna13tours.com/" target="_blank">Comuna 13</a> (Medellin): Comuna 13 walking tour in Medellin is a fantastic walking tour through some of the Colombian city’s most harrowed landmarks that played a role in its dark history with the drug cartel. The sites on the tour have been reinvented as positive infrastructure in the community, such as schools or government buildings. Beyond memorializing the history, the walking tour highlights the reinvention of Medellin as a vibrant city rich in innovation. Even if you might be initially unsure of tours through slums – I certainly was at first – don’t discount all experiences. While it is a complex topic and there are certainly slum tours to avoid, ethical experiences are mutually beneficial for both parties. Slum experiences done right have the power to tell the stories of marginalized communities and provide a sense of dignity rather than shame to their livelihood, while also directly impacting residents with employment and community development projects. And as travelers, we get to learn about communities and livelihoods we otherwise wouldn’t be exposed to, while witnessing the direct impact tourism dollars can have when invested in hyper-local, community endeavors.Getty Images / cookelma 01283363191 Getty Images A vast slum on the outskirts of Mumbai, with skyscrapers in the background.

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/tourism-pledgesTourism pledges help us do the right thing when we travel, and understand what “the right thing” is for a destination, but do they really change attitudes and behaviors? And how can we as travelers help make pledges more effective?2025-02-18T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/tourism-pledgeshttps://www.worldnomads.comIt’s a tricky line to walk, for any place in the world that wants visitors: how to warmly welcome people to your homeland while also making them aware of how you’d like them to behave, to protect the natural environment and reduce their impact on the people (and other animals) who live there. Introducing rules and codes of conduct might work in some destinations, but there is another, softer way: the tourism pledge. <ul> <li><a href="#what">What is a tourism pledge, exactly?</a></li> <li><a href="#destinations">Sign here: destinations with pledges</a></li> <li><a href="#how">How do they work?</a></li> <li><a href="#palau">The Palau Pledge anomaly</a></li> <li><a href="#difference">Do tourism pledges actually make a difference?</a></li> <li><a href="#ahead">The road ahead for pledges</a></li> <li><a href="#meaningful">Make your tourism pledge more meaningful</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="what">What is a tourism pledge?</h2> It sounds almost too simple, like a relic from a more trusting time: ask travelers to promise to “do the right thing”, whatever that means for a destination. But that’s basically what tourism pledges do, using three key strategies, according to Dr Julia Albrecht, Senior Lecturer in Tourism at the University of Otago, New Zealand: engaging visitors’ emotions (to inspire them to care about the destination) and requiring visitors to take action (rather than passively reading a list of guidelines) and make their promises public. “The public aspect of the pledge is very important,” says Albrecht, who has studied tourism pledges. “We know from research in areas like psychology and the health sciences that committing to a behavior publicly, for example via social media, can be extremely helpful in causing positive behavior change. So [signing a pledge] is about wanting to keep one’s word, yes, but also wanting to be seen to keep a promise one has made to oneself.” <h2 id="destinations">Sign here: destinations with pledges</h2> <a href="https://pledge.visiticeland.com/" target="_blank">The Icelandic Pledge</a>, created by Visit Iceland in the summer of 2017, kicked off the pledge movement, closely followed by the <a href="https://palaupledge.com/" target="_blank">Palau Pledge</a> later that year. Then came New Zealand’s <a href="https://www.tiakinewzealand.com/" target="_blank">Tiaki Promise</a> in 2018 and the <a href="https://finlandnaturally.com/sustainability/" target="_blank">Sustainable Finland Pledge</a> in 2019. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/responsibletravel/travel-pledges/palau-pledge-crop.jpg" alt="The Palau Travel Pledge, stamped into a passport." /> <figcaption>Upon entry to Palau, visitors must sign a passport pledge. Image credit: Palau Bureau of Tourism</figcaption></figure> There are also more localized pledges, introduced in popular spots across the US such as: <a href="https://aspenchamber.org/pledge" target="_blank">Aspen</a> and Telluride (with its <a href="https://www.telluride.com/discover/blog/take-the-tell-u-right-pledge/" target="_blank">Tell-U-Right Pledge</a>) in Colorado, <a href="https://www.visitbend.com/the-bend-pledge/" target="_blank">Bend</a> in central Oregon, and <a href="https://visitsedona.com/sustainable-tourism-plan/sedona-cares-pledge/" target="_blank">Sedona</a>, Arizona, as well as California’s coastal <a href="https://www.cabigsur.org/big-sur-pledge/" target="_blank">Big Sur</a> region. The islands of <a href="https://www.ponopledge.com/" target="_blank">Hawai’i</a>, <a href="https://alohapledge.com/" target="_blank">Kauai</a> and <a href="https://mauitourism.org/index.htm" target="_blank">Maui</a> all have their own pledges, as does the <a href="https://haidagwaiipledge.ca/" target="_blank">Haida Gwaii</a> archipelago in Canada, and <a href="https://eastcoasttasmania.com/maria-island-pledge/" target="_blank">Maria Island</a> in Tasmania, <a href="https://ladyelliot.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/guest-sustainability-pledge.pdf" target="_blank">Lady Elliott Island</a> in Queensland, and <a href="https://www.byronpledge.com.au/" target="_blank">Byron Bay</a> in northern NSW, Australia. Riding the coattails of these destination pledges are issue-specific pledges. On <a href="https://www.worldanimalprotection.org.au/take-action" target="_blank">World Animal Protection</a>’s website, for example, you can pledge to <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/planet/why-elephant-riding-should-be-removed-from-your-list">not ride elephants</a> on your next trip, to see dolphins and other animals only in the wild, and to be an animal-friendly traveler. You can promise to avoid air travel for a year, to reduce your carbon emissions, with the <a href="https://flightfree.org/" target="_blank">Flight Free Pledge</a>. Or take the <a href="https://www.travelersagainstplastic.org/" target="_blank">Travelers Against Plastic</a> pledge to reduce your use of <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/planet/how-to-reduce-plastic-use-while-you-travel">single-use plastics</a> when you travel. <h2 id="how">How do pledges work?</h2> Most pledges convey serious messages in a light-hearted way – the Sustainable Finland Pledge uses rhyming couplets like “On my journey, I pledge to be like a Finn, and by this, I mean slowing down from within” – and tend to be written in the first-person “to draw visitors in and deliberately create a personal connection,” says Albrecht. “Evoking an emotional response in visitors can be very successful in forming conservation intentions in visitors and complements increasing visitors’ knowledge, which is also important because research suggests that people are generally disrespectful out of ignorance, not malice.” So Kauai’s pledge, for example, includes this line: “I will not stack rocks… as it is offensive to native Hawaiians”. It also ends with “The land is chief, man is his servant” written in Hawaiian and English, like other pledges that use words and values from First Nations cultures. Hawai’i’s Pono Pledge (pono means righteous) asks visitors to malama (care for) the land, the sea, and each other. The Tiaki Promise is named after the Maori word tiaki (to protect, guard, and care for). And the Haida Gwaii pledge uses ancient Haida values such as Yahguudang (respect for all beings), Ad kyaanang (ask permission first) and Tll yahdah (making it right) to communicate how to travel with respect. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/responsibletravel/travel-pledges/tourism-pledge-haida.jpg" alt="A totem pole on the Haida Gwaii archipelago in British Colombia, Canada." /> <figcaption>A totem pole on the Haida Gwaii archipelago. The Haida Gwaii pledge asks visitors to respect Haida Ways of Being during their visit. Image credit: Getty Images / Kimberly Nesbitt</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="palau">The Palau Pledge anomaly</h2> One pledge that has broken away from the pack is the Palau Pledge, which is compulsory, not voluntary like other pledges. The island nation of Palau, famous for its scuba diving and conservation ethos, was the first country in the world to change its immigration laws to require all visitors to sign a pledge stamped into their passports on arrival. There are fines of up to US $1 million for environmental and cultural breaches, and legislation introduced in 2018 ensures all tour operators discuss the pledge with their clients to promote sustainable behavior. It's also addressed to Palauan children, many of whom helped draft the pledge. “Children of Palau,” it begins, “I take this pledge as your guest, to preserve and protect your beautiful and unique island home.” <h2 id="difference">Do tourism pledges make a difference?</h2> The short answer: no one really knows. “There has been very little monitoring,” says Albrecht and none of the tourism authorities contacted for this story could provide evidence that their pledges had changed visitor attitudes or behavior – which is understandable. For one thing, pledges tend to be general in nature (“I vow to explore with a sense of responsibility, adventure, and kindness,” says the Maria Island Pledge) without measurable outcomes. Then COVID-related border closures interrupted the flow of tourists (and data) to most destinations for at least two years. It’s also impossible to isolate the effect of a pledge when it’s part of a broader campaign, as most pledges are. Or to know if a pledge changed visitor attitudes – or vice versa. World Animal Protection has had more than 1i0,000  to its animal-friendly pledges since the first one (not to ride elephants) was launched in 2016. “We do know that these pledges together speak to a shift in public behavior around wildlife tourism,” says Suzanne Milthorpe, Head of Campaigns at World Animal Protection, “but it's difficult to say if individual pledges on their own help to shift attitudes, or if changing attitudes are resulting in people signing these pledges.” <h2 id="ahead">The road ahead for pledges</h2> But there are hopeful signs. In terms of reach, Palau’s pledge has been wildly successful, if only because signing is compulsory for inbound tourists: more than 1,067,000 have signed since it was launched in late 2017 (although some of those signatories might have been returning visitors). Post-COVID, some destinations are dusting off their pledges to rebuild tourism more sustainably. A recent Air New Zealand <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsAO0Lle59I" target="_blank">inflight safety video</a> revolved around the 2018 Tiaki Promise. The Aspen Pledge, created in 2018, was relaunched in July 2022 with a financial twist: the Aspen Chamber Resort Association now donates US $18.80 per signature (Aspen was founded in 1880) to local conservation groups and raised more than US $7,000 in its first three months. Palau has developed a world-first app, called <a href="https://olaupalau.com/" target="_blank">Ol’au Palau</a>, to “gamify” responsible travel by awarding travelers points for, say, signing the Palau Pledge or offsetting their carbon footprints, with points used to access places and experiences usually off-limits to visitors. And new pledges are still being rolled out, such as the Byron Bay Pledge, a community-led initiative launched in Byron Bay in late 2021 as part of “a multi-pronged regenerative tourism pathway” according to co-founder and local eco-tour operator Wendy Bithell. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/responsibletravel/travel-pledges/tourism-pledge-iceland-stay-on-path.jpg" alt="A sign in Iceland asking hikers not to stray off the path." /> <figcaption>A sign in Iceland, asking hikers to stay on the path in order to protect fragile ecosystems. Image credit: Getty Images / Andriy Prokopenko</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="meaningful">Make your tourism pledge more meaningful</h2> “We should only sign a pledge if we intend to follow up on the positive behaviors in the pledge,” says Albrecht, “and if that’s the case, there’s no reason not to sign it.” Signing also communicates to tourism authorities that we care about sustainable travel, which can have flow-on effects in terms of infrastructure and policy. A few ways to make your pledge count: <ul> <li>Sign as close to your arrival in a destination as possible and revisit the pledge during your trip so it stays fresh in your mind, like a responsible travel mantra.</li> <li>Make it more public: Some pledges, like the Tiaki Promise, invite you to share your pledge on social media, but even if they don’t, spread the word and share the love.</li> <li>Talk to other travelers. “Talk with other travelers and ask if they’ve taken the pledge and what they think about it,” suggests Albrecht. “Starting conversations is always a path towards changing attitudes, particularly when they’re between peers.”</li> <li>Talk to the locals. Interacting with people who live in the place you’re visiting – whether it’s a local guide or someone you meet in a cafe – is a great way to understand, in practical terms, why your pledge matters and how you can put it into practice.</li> <li>Use pledges to plan. Love travel that benefits people, places, and the planet? Pledges can steer you towards <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/people/the-destinations-turning-green">like-minded destinations</a>. Because what could be better than visiting a place that helps us all travel responsibly, sustainably, and regeneratively?</li> </ul>Getty Images / Leo Patrizi 1519847789 Getty Images A hiker refills a reusable metal water bottle.

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/ethical-safari-camp-wilderness-experienceWhether it’s a wildlife watching trip in Africa or a desert dune adventure in the Middle East, here’s how to find an ethical safari.2022-06-30T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/ethical-safari-camp-wilderness-experiencehttps://www.worldnomads.comWhile African bush experiences may be what most people associate with safaris, you’ll find aquatic safaris in Tanzania, desert safaris in Peru and Jordan, and wildlife-watching safaris right in the United States. Considering the dramatic difference between safari experiences – and operators – it’s worth doing some research to ensure your safari experience is an ethical and sustainable one. <ul> <li><a href="#1">Research, research, research</a></li> <li><a href="#2">Animal interactions</a></li> <li><a href="#3">Employing local community members</a></li> <li><a href="#4">Expense vs affordability</a></li> <li><a href="#5">Desert safaris</a></li> </ul> Certainly, the phrase “ethical safari” could be interpreted differently by different people, but we’re looking at it in terms of the sustainability of the camp, who they employ, how much of the safari-generated money trickles down to the local community, and attitudes toward animal interactions. <h2 id="1">Research, research, research</h2> No matter what kind of safari you’re looking into and what country you’ll be visiting, it’s essential to do your research. If a website doesn’t mention any specific policies or practices around ethics and sustainability, reach out to the tour operator with questions. Scroll through reviews on Google, TripAdvisor, or on the company’s website to see if previous guests have left positive (or negative) remarks about the issues that matter most to you. And if you witness something during your safari that raises a red flag, be sure to bring it up with the company and leave a review online to alert future travelers. Beware of general phrasing like “we’re a sustainable camp and we invest in our community,” which could be meaningless if they’re not backed up with specific, real-life examples. <h2 id="2">Animal interactions</h2> As exciting as it is to get up close and personal with wildlife, it’s not good for the animals and it can be dangerous for you. Safari operators that promise to get you close to the animals aren’t doing you (or the animals) any favors. Seek out operators such as Wyoming-based <a href="https://www.jhecotouradventures.com/" target="_blank">EcoTour Adventures</a>, which makes sure a safe distance is kept from bears, moose, big-horned sheep, and other wildlife, and uses safari-style vehicles that provide unobstructed 360-degree views. Some safari operators go a step further to support animal conservation, such as <a href="https://www.shamwari.com/" target="_blank">Shamwari</a> in South Africa, by having rescue programs and on-site animal rehabilitation facilities. In Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, and around the Middle East, camel rides are frequently offered to travelers and while it’s possible that the camels are reasonably well cared for (after all, animals that are constantly beaten and malnourished won’t be able to perform), the fact is that these are still animals in captivity whose sole purpose is to entertain humans. With so much desert beauty to explore by foot and car, and even bicycle, it might be best to avoid camel rides entirely. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/responsibletravel/participation/ethical-safari-in-article1.jpg" alt="Woman on safari" /> <figcaption> A woman on a safari. Photo credit: Getty Images / Tamara Malesevic / EyeEm</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="3">Employing local community members</h2> In areas where tourism is the primary source of income, hiring locally is urgently important. This is especially true in regions such as Eastern Africa, where the alternative to sustainable safari employment could be poaching. When local communities are employed by safari companies, they witness first-hand how conservation-focused tourism can support the ecosystem and help sustain their own families. And while the safari industry is still male-dominated, Asilia’s <a href="https://www.asiliaafrica.com/camps-lodges/dunia-camp/" target="_blank">Dunia Camp</a> in the Serengeti is the first (and only) camp in Africa that’s entirely run by women, including the managers. While many safari operators in Africa do employ local people, and some also have African-born leadership, it’s still fairly rare to find black-owned safari companies. Beks Ndlovu, the founder of <a href="https://africanbushcamps.com/" target="_blank">African Bush Camps</a>, is a black African who runs safari tours in Zambia, Botswana, and his native Zimbabwe. And while the color of Ndlovu’s skin may not matter to travelers, it’s important for his employees, who see him as a role model. Working for a successful safari founder and CEO that looks like them has been enormously motivating to his staff, many of whom now dream of starting their own safari companies because “If Beks can do it, maybe I can do it, too.” <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/responsibletravel/participation/ethical-safari-in-article2.jpg" alt="Four wheels drive on a dirt road" /> <figcaption> Four wheels drive on a dirt road. Photo credit: Getty Images / Buena Vista Images</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="4">Expense vs affordability</h2> Unfortunately, sustainably sourced and ethically produced products, services, and experiences are often more expensive, be it food, clothing, hotels, or safaris. For example, well-trained, highly experienced guides cost more than novice guides and it can be more difficult (and expensive) to source sustainable building materials. Electric vehicles (such as the electric safari jeeps that <a href="https://www.asiliaafrica.com/" target="_blank">Asalia’s Bush Camp</a> uses in Kenya) also cost more than gas-guzzling vehicles. All these factors push up the price of a safari because it’s just plain difficult and costly to transport and host people safely and comfortably in the middle of the bush, wilderness, and wildlife areas that often also charge steep (but necessary) conservation fees. That said, just because a safari is expensive doesn’t mean it is ethical. That high price tag may be going to pay for on-the-ground luxuries such as 5-star tents, expansive lodges, and private plunge pools. Conversely, just because a safari is affordable doesn’t mean it’s unethical. <a href="https://www.gamewatchers.com/porini-camps/" target="_blank">Porini Camps</a> is a great example of an ethical safari that is relatively affordable (several hundred dollars cheaper per night, depending on the season) and has been integral to habitat protection, community support, and employment in Kenya. It has trimmed away the high-end fat, so to speak, so accommodation is modest and electricity availability is minimal, which is also better for the environment. Its <a href="https://theinsatiabletraveler.com/porini-affordable-african-animal-safaris-kenya-sustainability/" target="_blank">safari experience</a> is focused on wildlife viewing and conservation, and their pricing structure is tied to habitat preservation, equating to the preservation of 700 acres, per tent, per night. And while solar power is becoming more popular at safari camps, Porini is a pioneer in the industry, having been 100% solar powered for 28 years. <h2 id="5">Desert safaris</h2> In many desert regions of the world like <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/travel-safety/middle-east/jordan/how-to-stay-safe-while-traveling-jordan">Jordan</a> and Egypt, jeep safaris are a popular activity but the emphasis is typically on the thrill of racing jeeps through the sand at high speeds and stopping for travelers to climb sand dunes, sand surf, or scramble up rock formations. Desert camps that accommodate travelers on these jeep safaris, are a mixed bag of basic, eco-friendly camps, low-impact glamping, and higher-end luxury camps that offer amenities that are never sustainable in the desert, like swimming pools. When seeking out an eco-friendly desert camp, look to see how water is sourced, whether solar panels are used to power air-conditioning units, and if local communities are being employed at these camps. At the <a href="https://www.myjordanjourney.com/social-enterprise-ammarin-bedouin-camp" target="_blank">Ammarin Bedouin Camp</a> in Little Petra in Jordan, the Ammarin tribe has decided that this social enterprise will continue to only have a shared toilet and shower area instead of installing separate toilets and showers in every single tent. While the trend to provide more and more accommodations may provide additional comforts, the Ammarin tribe has decided to minimize the installation of plumbing in the desert, which can pose significant threats to the environment. While many of these desert camps promote potentially problematic camel rides that should be avoided, many also offer guided hikes, evening stargazing excursions, or classes in traditional dance, carpet weaving, or instrument making. Having one-on-one interactions with the Bedouins leading these classes (and safari tours) offers an opportunity for cultural exchange and buying the teas, herbs, and crafts they sell are another way to help support local communities. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/responsibletravel/participation/ethical-safari-in-article3.jpg" alt="Camp in the White Desert at sunset with a bonfire" /> <figcaption> Camp in the White Desert at sunset with a bonfire. Photo credit: Getty Images / Anton Petrus</figcaption></figure>Getty Images/Paul Biris 01085538716 Getty Images

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/how-regenerative-tourism-can-make-you-a-better-travelerMore than just leaving a place better than you found it, regenerative travel offers a new way to think about and experience the world.2022-06-28T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/how-regenerative-tourism-can-make-you-a-better-travelerhttps://www.worldnomads.comNot so long ago, when we were confined to our homes and neighborhoods by a global pandemic, the world’s travel lovers talked and thought about “doing travel differently” when we were allowed out again. We imagined new ways of traveling that didn’t just minimize the impact of our travels but actually benefited the people and places we visited. Now, with most of the world open to travelers again, and tourism rapidly ramping up to business-as-usual, the emerging concept of “regenerative travel” promises to answer that call to action by offering a radically new, yet ancient, way for us all to travel better. <ul> <li><a href="#1">What exactly is regenerative travel?</a></li> <li><a href="#2">Sustainable vs regenerative travel</a></li> <li><a href="#3">So, is sustainable travel dead?</a></li> <li><a href="#4">Where does climate action fit in?</a></li> <li><a href="#5">Regenerative travel in practice</a></li> <li><a href="#6">How to be a regenerative traveler</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="1">What is regenerative travel?</h2> At its simplest, regenerative travel can be defined as leaving a destination better than we found it. Giving back more than we take. Improving the natural places and communities we visit, particularly those damaged by, for instance, increasing urbanization or natural disasters. As Lethabo-Thabo Royds from the World Travel & Tourism Council puts it, “Instead of only leaving a lighter footprint, we’re using that footprint to fertilize that area so it can regenerate and grow even stronger in the future”. But that doesn’t go far enough, according to regenerative tourism expert Anna Pollock. Regenerative travel involves a complete “paradigm shift”, she says, to a more holistic and nature-based way of seeing the world that’s closely connected to indigenous views of life and living systems, and a return to a life-centric rather than an extractive model. “The shift is from seeing the world as a machine with a collection of scarce resources, for which individual and separate humans have the right to compete and exploit, to one that sees Planet Earth, and all life on it, as comprising a set of interdependent, self-organizing living systems that flourish and generate abundance by ensuring the thrivability of each other,” says Pollock, CEO of <a href="http://www.conscious.travel/" target="_blank">Conscious Travel</a>, a UK-based social enterprise that helps tourism businesses become “conscious hosts”. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/responsibletravel/participation/regenerative-travel-in-article-1.jpg" alt="Whitehaven Beach Australia" /> <figcaption> Whitehaven Beach, Australia. Photo credit: Getty Images / Travelstoxphoto</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="2">Sustainable vs regenerative travel</h2> “Regenerative tourism really represents a shift beyond sustainability,” agrees Dr Dianne Dredge, founder of <a href="https://www.thetourismcolab.com.au/" target="_blank">The Tourism Colab</a>, a Brisbane-based consultancy set up in 2019 to explore new ways to help tourism become more “place-based, community-led and environment-centered”. “Sustainability comes from an industrial tourism industry mindset, where we’re really trying to build the industry’s capacity to shift towards green or sustainable tourism. Regenerative tourism pushes this further and suggests that we really need to change our mindsets and we need a new relationship with nature and with communities.” There’s another important difference, says Anna Pollock. While sustainable travel often seems to be about less – less impact, flying less, fewer emissions – regenerative travel is about more. “It’s just that ‘more’ is being defined differently,” she says. “It’s about generating more of the things that count: health, vitality, resilience, our capacity to care for one another, community.” <h2 id="3">So, is sustainable travel dead?</h2> The short answer: no. “We definitely need sustainable practices, to <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/carbon-offset-schemes">shrink our footprint</a>, use fewer resources, generate less waste, do less harm,” says Anna Pollock. “But there were two problems with just doing that: we’re not keeping pace with our own growth and we need to ask, ‘What are we trying to sustain?’ If we’re trying to sustain a system that is now recognized as being flawed, we’re not going to get the thriving economy we want or a healthy, thriving planet.” Also, some definitions of sustainable travel are more inclusive than others. “True sustainability is not about maintaining the status quo (especially if the status quo means maintaining degraded systems or failing systems),” says Dr Gregory Miller, executive director of the <a href="https://www.responsibletravel.org/" target="_blank">Center for Responsible Travel</a>, based in Washington, DC, “but rather is about protecting and stewarding functional and working natural, cultural, and economic systems that promote the triple bottom line: people, planet, and prosperity. We believe regenerative travel can help restore nature and culture in a destination, building on the foundation of sustainable tourism, putting us on a path to achieving true sustainability.” <h2 id="4">Where does climate action fit in?</h2> Of course what’s “sustainable” or “regenerative” will inevitably change as the world changes. “When Intrepid went carbon neutral in 2010, that was a big deal,” says Dr Susanne Etti, Global Environmental Impact manager at <a href="https://www.intrepidtravel.com/au" target="_blank">Intrepid Travel</a>, “but with the climate emergency becoming increasingly urgent, carbon neutrality now isn’t enough. “So, we’re developing pathways to decarbonize our company using science-based targets and making our trips low-carbon where we can. For example, by removing short flights from itineraries, introducing hybrid and electric vehicles on some trips and developing more domestic products so people can travel without taking carbon-intensive international flights.” <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/responsibletravel/participation/regenerative-travel-in-article-2.jpg" alt="Mt Brockman" /> <figcaption> Mt Brockman on the Kakadu escarpment. Photo credit: Getty Images / Ted Mead</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="5">Regenerative travel in practice</h2> Indigenous-owned and -managed travel companies are often naturally regenerative with their attitude of respect for land and sea and a deep awareness of the interdependence of people and place.“So many of the design principles that inform or shape regenerative thinking match almost entirely the world view of indigenous peoples around the world,” says Anna Pollock. Welcome to Country is a good place to find authentic First Nations experiences across Australia; it’s an Aboriginal-run not-for-profit set up to create employment and economic opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their communities. Then there’s the <a href="https://www.gohawaii.com/malama" target="_blank">Malama Hawaii Program</a>, launched in 2020 and based on the Hawaiian word malama, meaning “to care for”, which encourages visitors to participate in regenerative activities, such as planting native trees and restoring traditional Hawaiian fishponds, with local businesses offering incentives such as free hotel nights to participants. “Our goal is to attract mindful visitors who will leave Hawaii better than when they arrived,” says Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau President and CEO John Monahan. “By doing so, visitors will experience a deeper connection and a vacation that really becomes more meaningful to them.” Community-owned tours, stays and experiences are often inherently regenerative too. <a href="https://worldexpeditions.com/" target="_blank">World Expeditions</a> and <a href="https://www.intrepidtravel.com/au" target="_blank">Intrepid Travel</a>, for instance, have long worked with communities in the countries they operate in, to develop hands-on community-based trips that benefit those communities by enlisting travelers to, say, help build schools in Nepalese villages. There are also community-based accommodation booking platforms such as <a href="https://fairbnb.coop/" target="_blank">Fairbnb</a> in Europe and <a href="https://wayfairer.au/" target="_blank">Wayfairer</a> in Melbourne, launched earlier this year, where 50 percent of booking fees are re-invested into regenerative projects that benefit local communities and their natural environments. <h2 id="6">How to be a regenerative traveler</h2> Being a regenerative traveler essentially means “learning to see our home, planet Earth, our relationship with it and with each other through fresh eyes,” says Pollock. “We’re being asked to think how nature thinks and act accordingly and develop much higher levels of “eco-literacy” by spending more time in nature, observing and listening.” It's also about asking questions from this new perspective, asking tour operators, accommodation providers and travel companies how their tours, stays, experiences or operations regenerate the destinations you’re planning to visit. How can you tell if an experience is truly regenerative? Dianne Dredge suggests using this benchmark: “Regenerative principles are founded on holistic management approaches, mutual respect, networked relations and connection with nature and all living and non-living things. Regenerative tourism is not guided by metrics [such as the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, useful as they can be] but comes from a deeper ethical position not only to do no harm but to give back more than we take, i.e. to regenerate.” Maybe we can ask ourselves a simple question, too, whenever we’re planning a trip: will visiting this place, staying at this hotel or doing this tour make the world a better place in some way? Imagine if you could say “yes” to that question every time. Imagine if every one of us made this a natural part of our pre-trip process. It’s not such a big leap from there to imagine travel in all its forms becoming the force for good we always hoped it would be.Getty Images / Michael Preston 0 Blue lake

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/people/world-refugee-day-how-travelers-can-helpNot everyone who travels around the world is a traveler. Millions of people are on the move because they have been displaced by war, famine and failing economies. But those of us who do travel for pleasure can make a difference to their lives.2022-06-17T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/people/world-refugee-day-how-travelers-can-helphttps://www.worldnomads.com<ul> <li><a href="#day">World Refugee Day</a></li> <li><a href="#help">What can travelers do to help?</a></li> <li><a href="#displaced">Travel experiences run by displaced people</a></li> <li><a href="#online">How to help online</a></li> </ul> “On my way to Kenya from Burundi, I spent four days traveling overland in a truck,” explained Kaoma, a young Congolese man I met in Kenya. “The days were long and increasingly hot as the green mountains gave way to flat, arid desert. When we finally arrived in Kenya, I was surprised to see how different the landscapes were.” Kaoma was not recounting a thrilling overland adventure but rather, his exhausting journey fleeing war for the second time, from Bujumbura to northern Kenya. Kaoma is a refugee. More than that, Kaoma is a father, a son, an engineer, an entrepreneur, and a business owner. We live in a global world where goods, people, and ideas seemingly move freely across borders. International travel is more accessible than ever for much of the world (well, in a pre-and post-pandemic world, that is). There is an undeniable allure in the freedom that comes with leaving behind your home and the anticipation of heading into the unknown as you explore new landscapes, savor new flavors, learn new languages, and experience new cultures. But what about individuals who leave their homes and are driven across borders not by choice but rather by fear, out of survival, and for hope for a better life? For Simon Peter, a South Sudanese teacher, becoming a refugee was to “seek peace in my mind, to leave the memory of what happened in my home behind, to forget what I have seen with my eyes and what happened to me, my family, my country.” <h2 id="day">World Refugee Day</h2> June’s annual World Refugee Day acknowledges the 31 million people classified as refugees and asylum seekers, for whom leaving home is not accompanied by the thrill and privilege of travel. Most refugees do not take planes or trains to their anticipated destinations but make the journey by foot, in cars traversing militia-occupied roads, or in boats enduring harrowing crossings. When reflecting on his journey from Bujumbura to Kenya with his wife and young son, Kaoma commented: “We spent four days hidden in the back of a container on a truck. When we arrived in Kakuma, I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. I thought, ‘How can anyone live in these conditions?’ Here we are in the desert, living in a tent, where nothing can grow. Where are the mountains from my home?” Refugees – a term I generally like to avoid due to the stigma associated with it – don’t have tour guides, plush hotels, and exciting excursions awaiting them. And yet, rather than being welcomed as they cross borders into unfamiliar territory escaping the throws of war, natural disasters, and unimaginable circumstances, many forcibly displaced individuals are met with suspicion and are forced to reside in cramped conditions, remote settlements, and typically inhospitable circumstances. An exhausting list of barriers often faces displaced communities, from bans on obtaining SIM cards, work permits, and business licenses, to water, health care, and electricity shortages. <h2 id="help">What can travelers do to help?</h2> Beyond the joys of experiencing other cultures and finding personal growth on the road, if there is one thing that my years of travel have taught me it is that the world is intimately interconnected. Travelers are global citizens and part of being a conscious traveler includes supporting and bringing awareness to global issues and the communities impacted by them. So, as travelers, how can we help support displaced communities? While we may not be able to change the circumstances that have forced millions of people to flee from their homes, there are many ways that we, a community deeply embedded in the global trajectory, can extend a helping hand. After all, we surely have benefited from the kindness of strangers while abroad, at least once or twice. One of the most rewarding parts of travel is experiencing new cultures. Whether you’re at home or are exploring abroad, there are many ways to learn about the cultures of people who have been displaced. At home, look into volunteering with local entities that support asylee and refugee communities. This could mean teaching ESL classes, providing transport to appointments, offering temporary housing, or donating goods to help families get set up in their new homes. Many countries you visit, from Turkey and Jordan to Uganda and Germany, are host to significant displaced populations. On your next trip, rather than just seeking out your typical “travel” experience, why not break from the norm and explore experiences and businesses run by displaced communities? Food halls, art galleries, artisan shops, in-home dining experiences, and walking tours are among some of the many ways you can support displaced communities around the world while also having the opportunity to celebrate the cultures of the places they left behind. Below are just a handful of businesses run by displaced people that you can visit to find out more. <h2 id="displaced">Travel experiences run by displaced people</h2> <a href="https://www.amanigardencafe.org/" target="_blank">Amani Café</a>- Nairobi, Kenya: a lush garden space in the south Nairobi neighborhood of Kilimani, Amani was started by four refugee women in 1996 who fled to Kenya in search of peace. Combining their love of African textiles and sewing skills, these women brought Amani ya Juu (meaning Peace from Above) to life. Amani now has a production center, a boutique shop selling beautiful art crafted by refugees in Kenya, and a breakfast and lunch café. <a href="https://www.arthereistanbul.com/" target="_blank">Arthere Istanbul</a>- Istanbul, Turkey: home to approximately four million refugees, Turkey hosts dozens of interesting projects supporting displaced populations that contribute to the dynamic trajectory of the city. Arthere was established by Syrian artists in Istanbul as a space to continue their practice after having to leave their home country. Explore the exhibitions or attend one of the cultural events taking place in this creative space. <a href="https://www.muhra.org/" target="_blank">Muhra</a>- Istanbul, Turkey: Muhra is an enterprise founded by Syrian women who met in Istanbul and craft beautiful jewelry, embroidery, and metalwork with the aim of creating opportunity and storytelling. Their goods can be found in markets around Istanbul, as well as shops worldwide featuring handicrafts made by refugee artisans. <a href="https://www.tibetworld.org/" target="_blank">Tibet World</a>- Dharamshala, India: in Dharamshala, a Himalayan town in Himachal Pradesh that is the home-in-exile of the Dalai Lama, attend a cultural event at Tibet World. This community center is dedicated to the education and preservation of the Tibetan community and offers a whole range of dance, music, language, and cultural performances throughout the week. <a href="https://refugeevoicestours.org/" target="_blank">Refugee Voices Tour</a>, Berlin, Germany: experience Berlin’s major sites through an entirely new lens. Rather than showing visitors the typical side to the city, refugees residing in Berlin lead walking tours that shed light on their experience. Refugee Voices Tour offers a walking tour that brings you through the journey of the refugee rights movement. They also offer a tour that sheds light on the Syrian revolution and conflict, exploring the roots of why people have fled, using Berlin as the backdrop while drawing parallels with the German capital’s own history of revolutions and war. They also lead a tour in Copenhagen. <a href="https://www.rederijlampedusa.nl/home_en/" target="_blank">Rederij Lampedusa</a>, Amsterdam, Netherlands: skip the typical Amsterdam canal trip in favor of one led by Rederij Lampedusa. Aboard boats that previously transported refugees across the Mediterranean, you will be guided down the canals of Amsterdam by a crew who have roots in Egypt, Syria, Somalia, Eritrea, and the Netherlands. Along the ride, learn how the boats were once used to smuggle migrants across the Mediterranean and listen to stories from your guides about how they became refugees. <a href="https://festival.refugee-food.org/" target="_blank">Refugee Food Festival</a>, France: each year leading up to World Refugee Day in June, the Refugee Food Festival takes place across several cities in France. Experience the flavors of Tibet, Syria, Sudan, Ukraine, and beyond at lunches, dinners, and cooking workshops from Paris to Marseilles. Food has a universal power. Despite having to leave so much behind, culinary traditions can be carried across borders and are an important way to preserve and tell stories about flavors, agriculture, and traditions from one’s home. From <a href="https://spicebridge.org/)" target="_blank">Spice Bridge</a> in Seattle to <a href="https://www.flavorsfromafar.co/about-us-2" target="_blank">Flavors from Afar</a> in Los Angeles, North American cities are home to innovative food halls run by refugee and immigrant chefs, who are given the space and support to start a small food business. This concept paves the way for business opportunities that provide economic stability to refugee and immigrant communities, while also giving them the space to celebrate a piece of their culture and homeland through food. At these colorful kitchens, sample aromatic Afghan rice and meat, saucy Ethiopian dishes, Somali-style sambusas, fresh Persian salads, and so much more. At Spice Bridge, read poems on the walls of the restaurant written by refugee students in south Seattle, reflecting on what they miss from home and their experiences in transitioning countries. <h2 id="online">How to help online</h2> If you can’t visit a place in person, head to online shops such as <a href="https://refugeesarts.org/" target="_blank">Refugee Arts</a>, a global e-commerce hub selling goods impeccably crafted by Afghan, Ethiopian, and Burmese women, and <a href="https://www.darzah.org/" target="_blank">Darzah</a>, an online shop selling embroidered shoes, bags, and scarves by Palestinian artisans. Football fans can get their latest sportswear from <a href="https://klabu.org/" target="_blank">Klabu’s online shop</a>, which supports football clubs and sports libraries in Kenyan refugee camps. Beyond supporting businesses, simply take the time to learn about the culture, the food, the language, the history, and the people of a country you might not have the opportunity to visit. These experiences allow individuals who have had to flee their homes a chance to preserve, celebrate, and share a piece of their story that the world might not otherwise know. For Esther, a young woman who escaped unimaginable violence in South Sudan, her message is this: “Being a refugee is not a crime. We never wanted to be refugees; it is just the circumstances that brought us here. We all have equal rights and as long as I get the opportunity to study, I want to go as high as I can. I want to bring impact.”Getty Images/Jasmin Merdan 01179649824 Getty Images

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/how-to-only-travel-with-hand-luggageAvoiding queues at check in and arrivals, extra fees, and lost bags are just the beginning of why it’s always better to travel light. Here’s how to do it well.2022-06-14T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/how-to-only-travel-with-hand-luggagehttps://www.worldnomads.com<a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/planet/why-traveling-overnight-means-traveling-light">Traveling light</a> is becoming more important than ever. Environmentally, a lighter aircraft means lower carbon emissions. You can get around more easily with just one bag, avoid fees for extra l<a href="/travel-insurance/what-to-do/luggage-is-delayed">uggage</a> and you don’t have to wait in queues to check in or at baggage carousels at your destination. Plus, you have everything you need with you in case flights are canceled or delayed. The latter became extra important in Europe in the summer of 2022, when hundreds of flights were canceled daily due to Brexit and COVID cases as airports struggled to find staff for everything from cabin crew to ground staff and baggage handlers. With the latter in short supply, so was the patience of many customers waiting for bags retrieved from canceled flights. I’ve been traveling with just hand luggage for years and I love it. I once cycled around Spain for two weeks with only the vest and bike shorts I wore in the day, and a sarong I wore with the washed and dried vest in the evenings. It can be done. Here’s how to only travel with carry-on. <ul> <li><a href="#choose">Choose the right carry-on bag</a></li> <li><a href="#liquid">Be liquid-smart</a></li> <li><a href="#wear">What to wear on the flight</a></li> <li><a href="#pack">What to pack</a></li> <li><a href="#where">Where are you going?</a></li> <li><a href="#laundry">Toiletries and laundry</a></li> <li><a href="#benefits">The benefits</a></li> </ul> <h3 id="choose">Choose the right carry-on bag</h3> A soft-sided bag or backpack will fit better under the seat in front or in the overhead locker than a hard-sided one. Also, the size of the bag matters. Most airlines prescribe a carry-on bag should be no bigger than 55cm (22in) by 35cm (14 in) by 20 cm (9 in). Weight is usually restricted to around 7kg. Choose a bag with plenty of pockets and zips so you can organize your clothes and toiletries. <h3 id="liquid">Be liquid-smart</h3> With carry-on, there is a limit to the amount of liquids you can carry – anything over 100ml will be discarded by security. Make sure you keep liquids to less than 100ml and have all your liquids ready in a clear plastic bag to show at security. <h3 id="wear">What to wear on the flight</h3> Wear the heaviest, bulkiest clothes you’re traveling with on the flight – a heavy jacket or winter boots will take up all the room in your luggage. A jacket can also double as a pillow or blanket on a long flight. Pack everything else by rolling it. <h3 id="pack">What to pack</h3> Choose neutral clothes that can be worn in diverse ways with other items to create multiple outfits with minimal items. Trousers that zip off to shorts, a sarong that can double as a wrap or skirt etc. Choose fabrics that don’t crease and that can be rolled up small. General packing list: <ul> <li>one smart /casual outfit</li> <li>one evening outfit</li> <li>two pairs of shorts</li> <li>two tees</li> <li>socks and underwear</li> <li>one pair of long pants</li> <li>one dress</li> <li>a warm wrap</li> <li>a buff (that can be worn in multiple ways)</li> <li>a light scarf</li> <li>one pair of sandals or flip flops</li> <li>walking shoes or trainers (wear on the plane)</li> <li>a jacket (wear on the plane)</li> <li>a Kindle instead of books</li> <li>lightweight headphones</li> <li>an iPad instead of a laptop</li> <li>a smartphone instead of a camera</li> </ul> <h3 id="where">Where are you going?</h3> Be mindful of the climate you are traveling to. It’s easier to pack light for <a href="/create/learn/how-to-stay-safe-and-hydrated">warmer weather</a> than cold. Are there some items – such as <a href="/create/learn/travelstorytelling/what-to-look-for-in-ski-gear">skiwear</a> – you could borrow, rent or buy second-hand once you arrive? Think about the activities you’ll be doing and what clothes you’ll need. Will you need an outfit for hiking, visiting a museum, time at the beach and a fancy night out? Think about what could be worn to one activity and dressed up or down to go to the next. Be sparing – don’t pack things you haven’t worn recently at home and think about how many of each item you really need. Planning an overseas adventure? Find out how<a href="/travel-insurance/whats-covered"> travel insurance can cover</a> lost or stolen baggage, sudden illness, trip cancellation, or other mishaps. <h3 id="laundry">Toiletries and laundry</h3> You don’t need to transfer the contents of your bathroom cabinet to your luggage. <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/people/eco-friendly-toiletries-to-take-on-your-travels">Take only what you need</a>, and anything else you can buy when you reach your destination. Shampoo bars are better for the planet and take up less space than plastic bottles. Traveling with a bamboo toothbrush, <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/planet/how-to-reduce-plastic-use-while-you-travel">plastic-free</a> razors and reef-safe sunscreen are all ways to travel light as well as responsibly. Instead of carrying multiple items, travel with or buy a small amount of laundry detergent and wash some essential items every day to be worn again the next day. <h3 id="benefits">The benefits</h3> Aside from the benefits to the planet, traveling light affects your state of mind – you’re more likely to walk or use public transport if you feel lighter. This will inevitably lead to you interacting with local people and finding out more about your destination. You can’t underestimate the sense of freedom when you can be flexible with your plans, make a last-minute connection, or get from A to B in a hurry when you don’t have to factor in extra luggage. You’re also less likely to be a <a href="/travel-insurance/whats-covered/baggage">victim of crime</a> when you know exactly where your luggage is, and you are traveling with a confidence that makes you look less vulnerable. Travel isn’t about what you travel with, but the memories you bring home. Pakkawit Anantaya/EyeEm/Getty Images 0 Hang luggage

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/7-ways-to-become-a-better-and-greener-diverHow to check that dive centers are as eco-friendly as they claim and what you can do about it.2022-05-31T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/7-ways-to-become-a-better-and-greener-diverhttps://www.worldnomads.comAnyone with a few dives under their weight belt can tell you, there are some bad scuba divers out there. We’re not talking about poor air consumption or level of comfort in the water – these are skills that can be developed and improved over time – but about not-so-green diving behavior. Anything from fish grabbing to coral touching and stirring up silt. Stuff to get your hoses in a twist. Bad diving habits not only make you a bad buddy but also a danger to marine life.Sounds a bit dramatic? Not really. Out of the <a href="https://medium.com/scubanomics/the-size-of-the-scuba-diving-industry-573b8ac44c7c" target="_blank">six million active scuba divers worldwide</a>, most would describe scuba diving as floating in outer space, free from gravity and worries. But the freedom that scuba diving brings doesn’t mean turning dive sites into lawless underwater playgrounds. <ol> <li><a href="#1">Choose a green dive operator</a></li> <li><a href="#2">But how can you know for sure if it’s an eco-friendly dive center?</a></li> <li><a href="#3">Get your buoyancy under control</a></li> <li><a href="#4">Choose a reef-safe sunscreen</a></li> <li><a href="#5">Go easy on the flash</a></li> <li><a href="#6">Be proactive</a></li> <li><a href="#7">Become an environmentally certified diver</a></li> </ol> <h2>Green diving: why it matters </h2> Scuba diving is addictive. It only takes one plunge to catch the diving bug. The underwater world is known for its colorful fish, vibrant coral reefs and dramatic landscapes. So, it’s no surprise that this aquatic, mesmerizing beauty attracts travelers’ attention. But, where there is tourism, there is also the risk of people not following the best green diving practices, often unintentionally. Either way, scuba divers should take responsibility for safeguarding our ocean environments. Why? Because the <a href="https://oceanconservancy.org/blog/2022/05/04/prevent-mass-extinction-ocean/" target="_blank">ocean is our lifeline</a>. It regulates the Earth’s temperature and weather. Plus, many coastal regions rely on marine ecosystems for their livelihood, whether it’s through fishing or tourism. Not to mention that oceans are a solid source of protein for almost <a href="https://www.worldwildlife.org/industries/sustainable-seafood#:~:text=Approximately%203%20billion%20people%20in,to%20billions%20of%20people%20worldwide." target="_blank">3 billion people in the world</a>. While marine protection and ocean conservation laws need urgently updating, divers are in a privileged position to see what goes on beneath the sea’s surface. So, really, the least we can do is adopt eco-friendly diving habits. And that means making more responsible diving decisions without missing out on great experiences. So how can you make greener diving choices? <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/responsibletravel/participation/better-diver1.jpg" alt="Plastic in the ocean" /> <figcaption> A photo of plastic pollution and juvenile fish. Photo credit: Unsplash / Naja Bertolt Jensen</figcaption></figure> <h3 id="1">1. Choose a green dive operator</h3> It’s easy to just pick a dive school for your next diving vacation based on whichever one has the most positive reviews. Instead, try to look out for dive operators that protect local marine life. Here are some dead-give-away signs of an eco-friendly dive center: <ul> <li>Small groups: all dives are done in small groups (around 8 divers, max).</li> <li>No-feeding and no-touching policy: EVER.</li> <li>Dive sites are visited based on weather conditions AND divers’ level of experience.</li> </ul> <h3 id="2">2. But how can you know for sure if it’s an eco-friendly dive center?</h3> As it happens, dive centers can earn official eco badges by following strict environmental guidelines that promote friendly and green diving practices. Here are a few of the most globally recognized eco-labels for dive centers: <ul> <li>Green Fins: it’s the environmental lovechild between UN Environment and The Reef World Foundation. Operating in Southeast Asia, the Caribbean and the Indian Ocean, dive operators here become members by adopting <a href="https://greenfins.net/about-green-fins/" target="_blank">The Green Fins Code of Conduct</a>.</li> <li>Project AWARE: if you’re more familiar with PADI, then look out for the 100% Aware Partner accreditation and the PADI Green Star Award. PADI bestows these eco-labels on dive centers and resorts that demonstrate an active commitment to protecting coral reefs, supporting local communities, and turning divers into ocean advocates.</li> <li>Reef Check: dedicated to the conservation of coral reefs (and, more recently, kelp forests too), Reef Check dive centers work to protect the marine ecosystem through education, research and conservation. They do this through citizen scientist divers who monitor and collect valuable data.</li> </ul> <h3 id="3">3. Get your buoyancy under control</h3> Excellent buoyancy control helps you save air, but – more importantly – it also stops you from, even accidentally, hurting and damaging marine life. And even if you’ve been diving for a long time, don’t be ashamed to work on your buoyancy. After all, there are many factors to take into consideration (i.e., the thickness of your wetsuit, where you position your weights, the size and material of your scuba tank, etc.). Remember: Don’t swim too close to the seabed and always make sure your scuba gear and accessories are neatly tucked away for an optimal streamlined position. <h3 id="4">4. Choose a reef-safe sunscreen</h3> If you are what you wear, don’t wear <a href="https://coral.org/en/blog/sunscreen-101-protecting-your-skin-and-coral-reefs/#:~:text=Key%20ingredients%20to%20avoid%20are,the%20effects%20of%20coral%20bleaching" target="_blank">coral-killing sunscreen</a>. In fact, many popular brands of sunscreen contain ingredients that harm coral reefs and marine life to the extent of causing coral bleaching. So take a look! Read the label (even when it says “reef-safe”) and avoid toxic chemical ingredients in sunscreensuch as Oxybenzone and Octinoxate. But that’s not all. There’s also evidence that some ingredients are bad for human health too. For example, some ingredients increase the chances of <a href="https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20190722-sunscreen-safe-or-toxic" target="_blank">testicular cancer and can also be detected in breast milk</a>. Now you know. <h3 id="5">5. Go easy on the flash</h3> You’ve probably heard the saying “take only pictures, leave only bubbles.” That’s all well and good until you put your flash on. Many sustainable dive centers will restrict the use of underwater flash photography, especially when it comes to seahorses, as it can <a href="https://www.theseahorsetrust.org/seahorses-and-flash-photography/" target="_blank">kill these fragile creatures</a>. <h3 id="6">6. Be proactive</h3> In practical terms, this means getting involved in conservation projects such as beach and sea clean-ups. But being an eco-conscious scuba diver also means being a role model. So, if you see a diver doing something that they shouldn’t be doing, then gently correct their behavior. Did you know? You can also submit your photos and videos of threatened marine species to ID databases. Researchers and scientists worldwide rely on your sightings to collect data and monitor the health of our oceans. <a href="https://mantamatcher.org/" target="_blank">MantaMatcher.org</a> and <a href="https://www.sharkbook.ai/" target="_blank">WhaleShark.org</a> are good examples of this. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/responsibletravel/participation/better-diver3.jpg" alt="Yellow seahorse" /> <figcaption> Yellow seahorse. Photo credit: Getty Images / Rich Lewis</figcaption></figure> <h3 id="7">7. Become an environmentally certified diver</h3> Put your green diving principles to good use with one (or all!) of these popular conservation certificates: <ul> <li>Reef Check EcoDiver Course: learn how to monitor reefs and take part in marine volunteering expeditions around the world.</li> <li>PADI Project AWARE courses: anything from coral reef to shark, whale shark and sea turtle conservation.</li> <li>SSI ecology specialty programs: shark ecology, and manta and ray ecology, just to name a few.</li> </ul>Unsplash/Sebastian Pena Lambarri 0 Divers in the ocean

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/travel-foundations8 charitable funds are transforming communities, wildlife and the environment with the help of travelers.2022-03-14T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/travel-foundationshttps://www.worldnomads.comThanks to some thoughtful travel initiatives that pair incredible experiences with a platform to positively impact the places you visit (and beyond), it’s surprisingly simple to be a responsible traveler. Read about eight travel-specific charitable funds that help developing or underserved communities, and how you can participate in destination stewardship. Never have you as a traveler had the level of power to drive transformative change for communities, wildlife and the environment that you do now. As the world begins to move around again, how can we prevent a return to the old ways of taking more than we give? How can we make every trip we take an opportunity to do good in the world. Here are eight foundations doing their bit with the help of travelers. <h2>Footprints</h2> World Nomads’ <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/responsible-travel/footprints">Footprints</a> program puts the power in your hands, and it’s as easy as a click to add your contribution toward funding sustainable projects that improve the welfare of communities directly. Simply add a donation to your policy when purchasing <a href="http://www.worldnomads.com">travel insurance</a>, and 100% of it goes to the charity of your choosing. Cumulatively, these micro-donations add up to millions of dollars, and to date, more than 253 development ventures have been funded, including <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/responsible-travel/footprints/projects/207/support-cheetah-conservation-in-botswana">cheetah conservation in Botswana</a>, <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/responsible-travel/footprints/projects/76/seedlings-to-stop-hunger-timor-leste">improving food security in Timor-Leste</a> and <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/responsible-travel/footprints/projects/216/support-sea-turtles-and-sustainable-tourism-in-costa-rica">supporting sustainable tourism in Costa Rica</a>. While you’re on the website, be sure and have a look at the <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/responsible-travel">Responsible Travel</a> guide, so you can be a better traveler. <h2>One Tomorrow</h2> Charitable funds such as the one from <a href="https://www.aptouring.com.au/about-us/apt-travel-group">APT Travel Group’s</a> <a href="https://www.onetomorrow.com.au/">One Tomorrow</a> support vital programs including <a href="https://one-tomorrow.raisely.com/one-tomorrow/posts/peace-village-international-providing-medical-attention-to-children-living-in-war-zones">Peace Village International</a> which provides health care to children living in war zones and the <a href="https://one-tomorrow.raisely.com/one-tomorrow/posts/wunan-foundation-breaking-the-cycle">Wunan Foundation</a> which supports Aboriginal people by creating opportunities to exit a cycle of disadvantage. The United Nation’s Sustainable Focus Goals drive the selection of projects that are funded – with an emphasis on Good Health and Wellbeing, Quality Education and Life on Land. APT commits a percentage of profits to its charitable arm, fundraises and matches dollar for dollar the donations it receives from its customers. <h2>&Beyond and Africa Foundation</h2> For almost 30 years, the <a href="https://www.andbeyond.com/impact/coalitions/africa-foundation/">&Beyond and Africa Foundation</a> have been working together collaboratively to facilitate change with the community. Eight active programs support a partnership between local stakeholders to nurture and protect natural resources while working to champion sustainability, education and conservation. With six lodges spread over 70,560 acres (28,555 hectares) on <a href="https://www.andbeyond.com/destinations/africa/south-africa/kwazulu-natal/phinda-private-game-reserve/">South Africa’s Phinda Private Game Reserve</a>, this is a social enterprise that also provides job opportunities and stability. Balancing the needs of the community and creating opportunities to thrive in harmony with the wildlife create capacity-building goodwill. Anytime you travel with &Beyond, you’re supporting conservation in that community. Simple as that. <h2>The Travel Foundation</h2> Understanding that travel destinations reap economic rewards while also struggling with the ‘invisible burden’ of overtourism<a href="https://www.thetravelfoundation.org.uk/">, The Travel Foundation</a> works to identify and address a destination’s sustainability risks. These efforts include <a href="https://www.thetravelfoundation.org.uk/lionfish_must_have_meals/">controlling the invasive lionfish</a> species by putting it on the menu in Saint Lucia’s hotels. This win-win mobilization serves to protect reef wildlife, provide jobs for fishers and feed visitors healthy local fare. In Jamaica, guests are encouraged to explore outside of their resort. The <a href="https://www.thetravelfoundation.org.uk/casestudy/rastafari-indigenous-village/">Rastafari Indigenous Village</a> received business advice and assistance from TTF and is now licensed as an official tourist attraction from the Jamaica Tourism Board. Alliances with funding partners such as EasyJet holidays and Be Local provide financial support. <h2>Sustainable Travel International</h2> We know that air travel contributes immensely to climate change through emissions of carbon into the atmosphere, but did you know you can offset your contribution? <a href="https://sustainabletravel.org/">Sustainable Travel International</a> makes it easy to <a href="https://sustainabletravel.org/our-work/carbon-offsets/">calculate your carbon footprint</a> through its online calculator and compensate by purchasing offset credits. Through these funds, they support projects that benefit communities, ecosystems and clean efficient energy like the <a href="https://sustainabletravel.org/project/alto-mayo-conservation-initiative/">Alto Mayo Conservation Initiative in Peru</a> and the <a href="https://sustainabletravel.org/project/capricorn-ridge-wind-farm/">Capricorn Ridge Wind Farm</a> in Texas.  <h2>Kind Traveler</h2> Confused about where to start and want to be certain your positive impact is reaching its intended recipient? <a href="https://www.kindtraveler.com/">Kind Traveler</a> has done the hard work for you. Through its Give + Get hotel booking platform, when travelers make donations, they unlock special perks and offers. 100% of donations go directly to your choice of over 100 carefully vetted charities such as the <a href="https://www.imaginethailand.org/">Imagine Thailand Foundation</a>, the <a href="https://www.soidog.org/">Soi Dog Foundation Asia</a> and the <a href="https://www.mantatrust.org/">Manta Trust</a> in the Maldives.  <h2>Earthwatch</h2> If you’ve ever wanted to see a place while really understanding it and giving back at the same time, <a href="https://earthwatch.org/">Earthwatch</a>, is a great resource. This respected non-profit has more than 50 years of success in connecting inquisitive travelers with scientists worldwide on research expeditions and ecological voluntourism. Fees include accommodations, food and related research costs. In exchange, your day may include <a href="https://earthwatch.org/expeditions/amazon-riverboat-exploration">census taking pink river dolphins in the Amazon</a><a href="https://earthwatch.org/expeditions/climate-change-at-the-arctics-edge">, packing snow samples in the Arctic Circle</a> or <a href="https://earthwatch.org/expeditions/trailing-penguins-patagonia">helping tag penguins in Patagonia</a>.  Their tagline, “Be more than a tourist” says it all. Give back when you travel. <h2>Educate yourself</h2> Wondering how to make sense of it all and how these foundations can help? Have a look at the <a href="https://www.gstcouncil.org/for-travelers/">Global Sustainable Tourism Council</a>’s website. Information is provided to help you travel responsibly and identify sustainable travel companies, accommodations and destinations. If you’re doing it on your own, there are a few things you’ll want to consider. When seeking out an opportunity to donate or support a sustainable travel foundation, consider if the organization is transparent with its business practices. Annual Reports can provide evidence of that. If making a donation on top of your travel costs, is it tax deductible? It should be. Browse the projects and causes supported by the organization. Is there one that you feel strongly about supporting? Are you able to designate where your donation is used? How are the projects selected by the organization; are the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals used as a guideline as is standard? Have you read the mission statement? Does it resonate with you? Travel has the power to transform. How will you use your trip?  Brian Rapsey 0 A teacher and her pupils

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/influence-travel-for-the-betterEvery traveler that supports sustainable tourism practices is playing a vital role in creating a brighter future.2022-02-28T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/influence-travel-for-the-betterhttps://www.worldnomads.com<ul> <li><a href="#certification">Look for certification</a></li> <li><a href="#research">Do your research</a></li> <li><a href="#upgrade">Opt-in for eco upgrade</a></li> <li><a href="#share">Ask questions and share your knowledge</a></li> <li><a href="#feedback">Send feedback</a></li> <li><a href="#review">Write a review</a></li> <li><a href="#appreciate">Show your appreciation</a></li> </ul> With travel bouncing back and pressure building for the tourism industry to lighten its load on the planet, it’s more important than ever that we do our bit. Every traveler that stands up for what’s right and supports sustainable tourism practices is playing a vital role in creating a brighter future.  Follow this guide to learn how best to support eco and ethical travel operators and the steps you can take to drive positive change. <h2 id="certification">Look for certification</h2> With more people than ever striving to travel more responsibly, <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/greenwashing-guide-2655331542.html">greenwashing</a> is becoming rife – browse any travel-related website and you’re bound to read claims about sustainability. Before you book a hotel, tour or travel experience based on this alone, check whether the operator in question has valid certifications in place to back up their eco ‘commitment’. Is the company a certified <a href="https://bcorporation.net/">B Corp</a>, does it adhere to <a href="https://lnt.org/why/7-principles/">Leave No Trace</a> principles, and is it a member of <a href="https://www.onepercentfortheplanet.org/">1% for the Planet</a>? Has it committed to taking measurable climate action by signing up to the <a href="https://www.oneplanetnetwork.org/programmes/sustainable-tourism/glasgow-declaration/signatories-glasgow">Glasgow Declaration</a>? If not, why not keep looking and supporting a company that has? <h2 id="research">Do your research</h2> Practices that once passed as ‘eco’ are becoming the norm, and travel operators are having to do more to earn genuine eco-cred. Most hotels now give guests the option of not having their towels washed every day, for example, and this no longer qualifies them as being especially eco. Truly green accommodation will be sustainably built, carbon-neutral, plastic-free and energy-wise, so dive a little deeper when you’re researching <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/planet/how-green-is-your-accommodation">where to stay</a> and spend your travel dollars wisely. Nothing speaks louder than money when it comes to driving change. <h2 id="upgrade">Opt-in for eco upgrade</h2> To help tourism operators introduce more sustainable practices (and measure how much travelers want them to do so), some are giving guests the option of paying a little extra to reduce their travel footprint. For example, some airlines allow passengers to <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/carbon-offset-schemes">offset the carbon</a> their flight will generate by ticking a box and paying a small fee at the time of booking. Likewise, some accommodation providers give guests the option of a carbon-neutral stay with an add-on levy. African eco-safari operator <a href="https://singita.com/">Singita</a> is doing just that to scale up its sustainability efforts. Singita uses the carbon-offset funds generated to benefit local communities and reduce climate impacts.  Other tourism operators have a philanthropic arm or foundation that guests are invited to support. Whether they provide bicycles for local children to get to school, fund ecosystem regeneration or support the rehabilitation of injured wildlife, making a small (or big!) donation when you book is an easy way to support the good work they’re doing in the world. <h2 id="share">Ask questions and share your knowledge</h2> No matter how careful you’ve been to seek out an <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/how-to-choose-an-ethical-tour-operator">ethical and eco-tour operator</a>, expectations don’t always measure up to reality. A dive trip, safari or <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/camel-riding">camel riding</a> expedition that clearly puts profits ahead of animal welfare can be disappointing, for example, as can eco-tour operators whose practices fall short of their promises.  Before you jump to conclusions, find out more. If you’re on a miserable-looking camel who doesn’t look well cared for, ask about the camel's living arrangements, what they eat and how much rest they’re given between rides. As awkward as it can be, kindly sharing what you know about animal welfare, marine standards or responsible eco practices could equip a tour operator with the extra know-how they need to improve how they do things. At the very least, you’ll be letting them know that travelers notice and care about eco and ethical matters – and you just might be the one who convinces them to make a change. <figure><img src=" https://media.worldnomads.com/responsibletravel/travel-feedback.jpg " /> <figcaption>Always give constructive feedback on how to better support local communities. Photo credit: Getty Images </figcaption></figure> <h2 id="feedback">Send feedback</h2> Taking the time to put your concerns in writing to management – clearly and politely – can ensure any feedback you’ve given in person to hotel staff or tour guides reaches people with the power to make policy changes. Fill out any hotel questionnaires and email a tour operator after your visit, detailing what they could do to reduce their impact on the environment, improve their treatment of animals, or better support local communities – and that you won’t be booking with them again until improvements have been made. <h2 id="review">Write a review</h2> Most of us rely heavily on reviews to make a purchase, book an experience, or choose somewhere to stay. If you’ve had an unsatisfactory response to the other feedback you’ve provided, share your disappointment with a negative review on TripAdvisor, Google, and even their own website if you can. Sharing a tourism operator’s poor environmental performance with other travelers clearly communicates that it’s just not good enough. They know as well as we do that bad reviews will directly affect their bottom line. Yours could provide just the motivation they need to do things better.  <h2 id="appreciate">Show your appreciation</h2> It’s easy to focus on the negatives, but recognizing when a company is doing right by the planet and making an effort to be responsible can be just as influential. Everyone likes a pat on the back when they do a good job, and travel operators are no exception. Share your positive experiences on social media, make a point of saying thank you to a tourism operator going the extra mile, and leave a review that underlines the efforts they’re making to reduce emissions, save water or support conservation.  The more we communicate about what matters to us, the more the industry will respond. Demand drives lasting change, but it’s up to each one of us to be clear about what we want – with the choices we make, the feedback we provide, and the positives we celebrate. Getty Images/iStockphoto 0 camels being led through dunes